Unrepentant Motsoeneng says he'll reapply for SABC COO job‚ Madonsela warns of stern action if he gets it

27 September 2016 - 21:50 By TMG Digital

An unapologetic Hlaudi Motsoeneng says he is a much-loved champion of transformation and will reapply for the job of chief operations officer (COO) of the state broadcaster when it is advertised‚ despite the scandal about him lying to get the job in the first place. But according to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela‚ neither Motsoeneng nor the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) are off the hook yet. This comes after SABC board chairman Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe publicly endorsed Motsoeneng‚ telling a news conference that he remains an employee of the broadcaster and will be going back to position of GE corporate affairs. And when the job of chief operating officer is advertised‚ he can apply‚ Maguvhe said. Motsoeneng's position as COO was found to be invalid after the Supreme Court of Appeal recently dismissed his application for leave to appeal a High Court in Cape Town ruling‚ which set aside his permanent appointment.Motsoeneng began acting as COO in 2011 and Communications Minister Faith Muthambi confirmed his permanent appointment in 2014‚ despite adverse findings by the Public Protector‚ including that he misrepresented his qualifications and awarded staff and himself irregular salary increases.On Tuesday‚ Motsoeneng said no matter where he is‚ he will continue to "make miracles".He said his critics were malicious and misled the public. "The public is not stupid.""...Everywhere I go people love me."He signalled that he would apply for the COO job at the SABC when it is advertised.Until then‚ he intended to ensure his current job in corporate affairs at the SABC was "interesting".Madonsela‚ however‚ said on Tuesday that Motsoeneng's appointment to his old gig at the public broadcaster would be scrutinized by her office.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.Among the things they would want to know were: "What was the process of appointing him? Was the position vacant?" and what the job requirements were.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.However‚ the chairperson of the SABC board‚ Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe‚ heaped praised on Motsoeneng crediting him with successfully raising funds for the broadcaster and bringing more local content to television and radio.He made it clear that should Motsoeneng wish‚ he could still apply for his position of COO when it is advertised."He did well for this organisation‚ he raised funds for us and local content is being preferred and this is benefiting our society."And I hope that when we advertise he can apply. Nothing stops him from applying‚" he said.Maguvhe then lashed out at some section of the society and the DA‚ accusing them of bringing chaos to the SABC."I would also like to appeal to society and opposition parties not to interfere with SABC processes because they are the ones who are destabilising this organisation‚ and with that instability we will not be able to fulfill our mandate."He said there was a perception that had been created by the opposition party and media that the SABC did not respect legal institutions."We respect our legal institutions‚ among them‚ the public protector's office and our courts‚" Maguvhe said. ..

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