Hlaudi wants to return to the SABC

Former COO slams the broadcaster’s interim board for lack of vision

Former SABC strongman Hlaudi Motsoeneng is now relying on his family’s financial support to get by every day.

Motsoeneng, who was fired in January after being found guilty of misconduct for criticising SABC board members and a parliamentary committee, also said he was “fighting to go back to the SABC”.

When asked how he has been coping without a salary, Motsoeneng said: “I have my family, don’t worry about a salary, my family is there to support me.”

He was speaking to Sowetan after his press briefing in Johannesburg yesterday where he welcomed President Jacob Zuma’s proclamation of a special investigating unit (SIU) probe into SABC affairs.

Last week, Zuma signed a proclamation that will allow the SIU to investigate, among others, alleged questionable contracts, maladministration, misconduct by SABC employees and board members.

“I’m very happy that at last there’s [such] a proclamation and [it] will give us a chance to deal with real issues at the SABC; what happened in the past when we were still there,” he said.

He said the investigation by the SIU would afford him an opportunity to “clarify issues at the SABC” and deal with the “hullabaloo around Hlaudi”. He again criticised the broadcaster’s interim board, accusing it of lacking vision and of getting involved in the day-to-day running of the SABC.

SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said there was nothing untoward with the board getting involved in the awarding of tenders of a higher value. “The board needs to make a final decision on certain values that are very high.”

Motsoeneng said he was excited over Mzwanele Manyi’s acquisition of ANN7 and The New Age newspaper.

“I’m very happy for Jimmy Manyi because now black people will be playing in that space of [owning] a media house, so more people should enter,” he said.

There was speculation that Motsoeneng would join the company.

“I’m focusing on the SABC, I still have the CCMA hearing, so I won’t reveal my strategy until I’m done as I’m still fighting for justice to happen.”

/ ALON SKUY Hlaudi Motsoeneng held a press conference in Johannesburg yesterday where he welcomed the investigation into the SABC, of which he was the chief operating officer, and criticised the public broadcaster’s interim board.