SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng suspended

The Western Cape High Court has ordered the immediate suspension of SABC Chief Operations Officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

Despite a critical report issued by public protector, Thuli Madonsela that fingered Motsoeneng as being incompetent of running the public broadcasters operations - Motsoeneng previously managed to dodge facing the axe.

According to eNCA, the Western Cape High court has ordered the immediate suspension of Motsoeneng and he will have to contend with disciplinary proceedings. This after the DA successfully enforced a court order against him, withholding his previous suspension.

In February 2014, Madonsela discovered Motsoeneng had increased his salary from R1.5 million to R2.4m in one year, that he had purged senior staff, and misrepresented his matric qualifications to the SABC. Madonsela also recommended that a new COO be appointed at the SABC within 90 days.

Motsoeneng was also taken to court by the DA at the time but remained in his post nonetheless.

In a previous report, The Sunday Times detailed how Motsoeneng had plunged the SABC into crisis. With Motsoeneng at the helm, executives and senior managers had left the SABC, all complaining that the state broadcaster was worse off under him.

In addition, details emerged of removal of board members who do not support him; board meetings not taking place; and the secret amendment of the SABC's memorandum of incorporation, taking away the board's powers and giving them to Communications minister Faith Muthambi and Motsoeneng were revealed.

Sources said those who disagreed with Motsoeneng were being sidelined.

Additional reporting by Sibongakonke Shoba and Thabo Mokone