We seemingly have a considerable tolerance for suffering fools in high places, a weakness that is likely to result in the public broadcaster being saddled with the appalling Hlaudi Motsoeneng for the duration of the Zuma presidency. As Communications Minister Faith Muthambi put it before Motsoeneng was appointed chief operating officer of the SABC in 2014 ''uBaba loves Hlaudi''.President Jacob Zuma's opinion of his point man at Auckland Park is unlikely to change just because both the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal have validated Thuli Madonsela's finding that Motsoeneng lied about his qualifications, irregularly awarded himself salary increases, and was not suitable for the job.Don't expect Muthambi to demur in his latest appointment - she has been at Motsoeneng's shoulder during all his legal battles.The SABC board, too, is behind Motsoeneng, who is said to have been awarded a R10-million bonus this month even though the broadcaster recorded a loss of R378-million for the year.The board's chairman, Mbulaheni Maguvhe, glowingly endorsed the man yesterday, announcing that he had been appointed to his old job of group executive of corporate affairs, and that he could reapply for the COO's post when it is advertised.Presumably the bar for the chief operating officer position will be lowered - as it was after the post was advertised last time around - to accommodate Motsoeneng's lack of qualifications.The parliamentary committee for communications is to meet the SABC board soon to discuss the appeal court ruling, but the triumph of the rule of law is not guaranteed.Court challenges are inevitable but they take time and it is difficult to see the SABC being persuaded to deviate from its foolish path, barring an instruction from on high.During its excruciating decline, it has brushed off criticism from all sides, including the ANC, which was incensed by Motsoeneng's edict banning the screening of violent protests...