Minister defends Hlaudi appointment

COMMUNICATIONS Minister Faith Muthambi has defended the SABC’s decision not to advertise Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s current position because there was no need to.

The DA yesterday questioned why Motsoeneng’s current position as group executive of corporate affairs, as well as his former position as chief operating officer (COO), were filled without being advertised.

Responding to a written question from DA MP Phumzile van Damme, on whether the two positions were advertised externally before the appointments of Motsoeneng and Bessi Tungwana as COO, Muthambi said no.

Her written parliamentary response came a day after parliament’s ad hoc committee set up to investigate the SABC met for the first time.

Muthambi has been included in the list of witnesses who will testify before the inquiry.

“The positions of group executive of corporate affairs and chief operating officer were not advertised. There was no need to advertise the position of COO, as Ms Tugwana is acting in this position. Mr Motsoeneng was reinstated to the position he occupied prior to his appointment as the COO,” said Muthambi.

Muthambi’s spokesman Ayanda Holo said yesterday that Motsoeneng has always been a permanent employee of the SABC.

“Hlaudi is a stakeholder person, he then goes for a position higher and as a stakeholder he’s a permanent employee.

“They think they have that position, but the judge says no you don’t have that position.

“So where does he go back to? To his original position,” said Holo.

“Second part of it is that Tugwana is acting in that position. Until position is advertised and Tugwana goes for it, currently there’s no permanent person who’s taken the COO position.”