ANC must crack whip

FORMER SABC chief Hlaudi Motsoeneng has said he performs miracles – yet even his Midas touch was not enough to prevent the public broadcaster from reporting a huge R411 million net loss for the 2015/2016 financial year. This loss, tabled by the group’s acting chief executive officer James Aguma yesterday, follows the R395m loss from the previous financial year.

And this is not the only worry that the corporation will have to contend with in the next few days. Next week, the Parliamentary portfolio committee on communications will put Motsoeneng’s controversial reappointment to his old job – in defiance of the public protector and court rulings – under the spotlight. Judging by the strong words of ANC’s chief whip Jackson Mthembu and spokesperson Zizi Kodwa, the ruling party, like the opposition, may well have reached the end of its tether with the SABC shenanigans.

This week, the SABC board appointed Motsoeneng to his old job as group executive of corporate affairs, without advertising the job. This, said Mthembu, was unlawful and “displayed clear disrespect for the rule of law”.

Now that the party appears to be in agreement with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, opposition parties and several non-governmental organisations regarding the machinations in Auckland Park, it is clear what its next move should be.

The ANC cannot interfere in the running of the broadcaster, but it can, once and for all, use its Parliamentary majority to dissolve the obstinate board that behaves as if it’s above the law.

With his big backers out of the way, the wind will be taken out of his sails – and the end will be nigh for Motsoeneng.

For years he has run the public broadcaster as his fiefdom, even after the public protector released a report on Valentine’s Day in 2014, which should have ended his SABC career.

“When Governance and Ethics Fail”, was a shocking indictment of Motsoeneng’s tenure at the SABC. But those who thought it would be quickly followed by his dismissal were shocked by a series of developments that defied belief. Instead of being sacked, he was permanently appointed to the post by Communications Minister Faith Muthambi, and his annual salary increased by R1m.

In November last year, Western Cape High Court Judge Dennis Davis set aside the appointment, ruling it was “irrational”.

In May this year, Judge Davis denied an application by the SABC and Muthambi for leave to appeal.

A little more than two weeks ago, an application to the Supreme Court of Appeal by Muthambi and Motsoeneng for leave to appeal was also rejected.

In the days following this ruling, rumours abounded that the SABC was about to re-employ Motsoeneng. This, and further news that he was in line for a bonus of about R11.5m angered many South Africans.

On Tuesday, the SABC announced that Motsoeneng would be reverting to his old position of group executive of corporate affairs.

And in a media briefing, its chairperson professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe stated that Motsoeneng was free to apply for the position of chief operating officer, once it was advertised.

We’re shocked at the SABC’s contempt for the rulings of our courts and a report by our public protector.

It is a disgrace that internationally respected public institutions should be treated this way.

The SABC is supposed to serve the interests of all South Africans. It is certainly not there to do the bidding of Motsoeneng or Muthambi.

We hope the portfolio committee will do the right thing this time.