Minister denies rumours of COO
COMMUNICATIONS Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane yesterday denied knowledge of reports that MTN group executive for corporate affairs Chris Maroleng would soon be named as the SABC’s new chief operating officer.
“The minister wishes to advise the media that all appointments of the chief operating officer, chief executive officer and chief financial officer of state-owned entities are done through cabinet processes and therefore the announcements of the outcome are made by cabinet,” Kubayi-Ngubane said.
“It is the minister’s responsibility to present any appointment of executives of the SoEs under the Department of Communications through cabinet processes. To this end, the minister has no knowledge of any official appointment of a chief operating officer of SABC.”
Sunday World newspaper reported that Maroleng would next month fill the key position at the SABC, replacing the controversial Hlaudi Motsoeneng, who was fired by the public broadcaster last year following a long suspension.
Former group executive for sports at SABC Bessie Tugwana has been acting in the role for the past few months.
SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago was not immediately available for comment.
However, he told the paper “the process of finalising the appointment is under way and we will announce to the public as soon as it is completed”.
Even though Maroleng was not available for comment, he has been fielding a lot of congratulatory messages on Twitter from followers wishing him well on his appointment, including MTN group chief executive Rob Shuter, former public protector Thuli Madonsela and former head of eNCA Patrick Conroy. – African News Agency/ANA