Everyone knows except the minister

Communications Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane denied knowledge yesterday of reports that MTN group executive for corporate affairs Chris Maroleng will soon be named the new chief operating officer (COO) of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).

“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 in a statement.

“It is the minister’s responsibility to present any appointment of executives of the

state-owned entities under the department of communications through Cabinet processes.

“To this end, the minister has no knowledge of any official appointment of a COO of the SABC.”

Sunday World newspaper reported that Maroleng would fill the key position at the SABC next month, replacing 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 in recent months.

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago was not immediately available for comment.

He told the newspaper that “the process of finalising the appointment is under way and we will make an announcement as soon as it is completed”.

Although Maroleng was not immediately 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.

Maroleng has extensive experience in the broadcasting sector, having also anchored a current affairs show on eNCA, where he became popularly known for his “don’t touch me on my studio” rebuke to former AWB general secretary AndreVisagie during a live 2010 studio debate.