Hlaudi embroiled in staff intimidation

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SABC chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng is being investigated after a staff member at the broadcaster opened a case of intimidation.

The case was opened at the Brixton police station last week, with the staffer alleging that she received a threatening SMS from someone who claimed to be Motsoeneng, telling her she would lose her job if she tells people about her work.

Nadiva Schraibman said in her police statement that she was a story editor for a documentary on the life of Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.

On the 6th of September 2015 I was at work to check up on some documents when I received the SMS saying: If I carry on talking about the work that I was doing, I will lose my job’: From the COO, which I believe is Mr Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

I was doing the documentary on Mr Desmond Tutu about a biography of his life. the person

…seems to be impersonating Mr Motsoeneng. I don’t know who might have send me this message but I believe it could be someone who works at the SABC.”

Schraibman said that she brought the matter to the attention of her boss Sefako Nyaka who phoned the number but it rang unanswered.

Nobody has the right to threaten me and as a result I need police investigation in this matter, she said.

Schraibman told Sunday World she was not allowed to speak to the media about the matter.

Motsoeneng confirmed the case but said he had never sent such a message to any employee.

I don’t talk with junior staff, I deal with her bosses. But I’m aware about the matter but the police have not contacted me yet.”

The SABC boss said he was the one who advised the SABC team to open a case so that the number could be traced to find the owner of the phone.

There s someone who pretended to be Hlaudi. I don’t even know the number that was used to send the message. But what I can tell you is that when I take decisions I don’t hide them.”

Spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said the SABC had launched an internal investigation.

The case has been opened against a person who is impersonating Mr Motsoeneng and the owner of the number that sent the message, not the SABC COO, Mr Motsoeneng.”

Brixton police station commander Michelle Jones confirmed a case was opened. Yes we can confirm a case of intimidation was opened against the SABC COO.”

On Friday, the Supreme Court of Appeal heard Motsoeneng’s appeal against the high court ruling that he be suspended and disciplinary action taken after the public protector’s report. Thuli Madonsela found he had increased his salary by almost R1-million in one year and forged his matric certificate, among others. Judgment was reserved until tomorrow.