SABC’s Motsoeneng in limbo, but ready to work

JOHANNESBURG: The cancellation of a disciplinary hearing against SABC chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng yesterday meant he would remain at home until the SABC told him it wanted him back at work – if it did in fact decide to do so.

This is according to Motsoeneng’s lawyer, advocate Zola Majavu, who said the COO was ready to report for duty.

The controversial Motsoeneng took voluntary leave in October, after the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld an earlier court ruling ordering the SABC to suspend him within 60 days, pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.

Yesterday, Majavu said they were waiting for the inquiry’s chairperson, advocate William Mokhari, to make a judgment.

However, Mokhari terminated the hearing, citing the judgment delivered by the Western Cape High Court last Friday, which set aside Motsoeneng’s permanent appointment as COO.

Mokhari said it turned the disciplinary inquiry into an academic exercise. He said the appeal – lodged by Motsoeneng, the SABC and Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi – would determine whether the inquiry continued, leaving the COO in limbo.

“He is available to report back to work. I have written to the SABC to ask if they want him back at work and under what position, but they have not answered,” Majavu said.

He said Motsoeneng wanted the inquiry to go ahead.

“We are very frustrated. He wanted to have his say, to confront his accusers,” Majavu said.

The hearing has been mired in controversy, with the sudden dismissal of prosecutor Sandile July. He has since been replaced by Mponyana Ledwaba.

The charges against Motsoeneng follow an investigation by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela last year. She recommended that the public broadcaster’s board take disciplinary action against Motsoeneng for irregularly hiking his salary three times in a year, purging staff he disagreed with and lying about having a matric certificate.

Last week, the Western Cape High Court ruled that the decision to appoint him as COO was illegal. – Staff Writer