Union wants Motsoeneng’s account frozen
HLAUDI Motsoeneng’s bank account should be frozen until a thorough investigation into allegations that he received a huge bonus for negotiating a R570m contract with MultiChoice’s DStv in 2013 is done, the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union (Bemawu) said on Monday.
Johannesburg weekend newspapers reported that the SABC’s acting CEO, James Aguma, had approved a decision to pay Motsoeneng R10m for negotiating the controversial contract with MultiChoice to create SABC channels on DStv. It is understood that the money was paid out last week.
Motsoeneng is effectively without a clearly defined role in the SABC after the Supreme Court of Appeal last week dismissed his application for leave to appeal a High Court in Cape Town ruling, which set aside his permanent appointment as chief operating officer.
The SABC board is proposing that Motsoeneng be appointed acting chief operating officer until December. Speculation is he will then be “redeployed” to another position as group executive for corporate affairs.
Bemawu president Hannes du Buisson said if it was true that Motsoeneng received the R10m bonus, the broadcaster would have effectively made an illegal and unethical payment. It is understood that the payment also goes against SABC policy as the board did not formally approve the disbursement.
“We are talking to our lawyers to see if we can launch an urgent application that the money be frozen in his account pending a thorough investigation to establish why and who authorised it.”
The union, which claims to represent more than 1,000 SABC employees, is also opposing attempts to redeploy Motsoeneng at the broadcaster.
“Any acting position should be occupied by an SABC employee … and should he be appointed to any new post, that post has to be advertised,” said Du Buisson.
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said on Monday he could not comment on Motsoeneng’s position at the broadcaster or the alleged bonus payment. “It’s a board matter and I have not received any instructions to comment.”
SABC board chairman Obert Maguvhe, who is said to be leading the campaign to retain Motsoeneng, refused to comment.
The portfolio committee on communications said it would in the following two weeks meet with the SABC board to discuss Motsoeneng’s position.
“The board has a fiduciary responsibility to provide corporate governance to the management of SABC and the corporation at large. It is against this backdrop that the committee seeks to meet with the board to hear how it is dealing with the court judgment. It is important that the rule of law be upheld and respected by state-owned enterprises, government departments and agencies,” said portfolio committee chairman Humphrey Maxegwana.