SABC and Motsoeneng not off the hook yet‚ says Thuli Madonsela

27 September 2016 - 18:36 By Roxanne Henderson

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela says former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng's appointment to his old gig at the public broadcaster would be scrutinised by her office. The SABC announced on Tuesday that Motsoeneng is back in his previous post of group executive of corporate affairs. It said that Motsoeneng may apply for the position of chief operating officer (COO) when it is advertised. Motsoeneng quickly indicated that he would. Motsoeneng's position as COO was found to be invalid after the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed his application for leave to appeal a High Court in Cape Town ruling‚ which set aside his permanent appointment.The case was informed by Madonsela's findings that Motsoeneng had lied about his matric qualification and irregularly increased his salary.Upon hearing the news of Motsoeneng's return to the corporate affairs executive position‚ she said that her office would request a response from the SABC on the processes followed.Said Madonsela: "What was the process of appointing him? Was the position vacant?"Madonsela had several other questions relating to the appointment like what the job requirements are and by which process Motsoeneng was found to be fit.She said a query would be sent to the SABC on Motsoeneng's position and if not satisfied with the response‚ her office would take action.She said if Motsoeneng was reappointed as COO her office would take the matter to court‚ asking for costs to be paid by the SABC board members as individuals.Her finding that Motsoeneng is a dishonest person still stands‚ she said.Madonsela on Tuesday released a report on Eskom's conduct when it disconnected a Khayelitsha family's electricity connection.The outgoing public protector also gave a progress report on a number outstanding investigations‚ including her probe into state capture by the Gupta family and the spending of Eastern Cape municipalities relating to former president Nelson Mandela's funeral.She said most of these were being finalised...

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