SABC fires Motsoeneng after ruling on misconduct
EMBATTLED former SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng has been fired after being found guilty of misconduct for comments he made at a media briefing in which he criticised SABC board members and a parliamentary committee that was looking into alleged irregularities at the public broadcaster.
Disciplinary hearing chairman Nazeer Cassim informed the SABC’s interim board of his decision yesterday.
The outcome was announced after the board met with Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo. Interim SABC board chairman Khanyisile Kweyama said Motsoeneng had been dismissed from the SABC.
“We engaged an independent chair. The chairperson has given us feedback this morning,” Kweyama said.
“He has recommended‚ and the board has accepted‚ that Mr Motsoeneng be dismissed from the SABC. We have communicated that decision to Mr Motsoeneng. Mr Motsoeneng’s dismissal has been accepted by the board.”
Motsoeneng’s dismissal follows the submission of final arguments from the SABC and the embattled former chief operating officer on Friday.
At the time of the April media conference‚ Motsoeneng was already suspended due to findings made by the public protector relating to his qualifications.
Motsoeneng was charged with contravening the terms of his suspension when he held a media briefing at which he was critical of non-executive board member Krish Naidoo.
Naidoo had served on the SABC’s previous board. Motsoeneng launched a scathing attack on Naidoo for comments he made during his appearance before the parliamentary ad hoc committee.
He described Naidoo as a “sellout” who lied under oath. He further railed against SABC interim board members for planning to scrap a 90% local music content policy which he had implemented during his tenure at the public broadcaster.
Motsoeneng said he had not yet been informed about the outcome of the disciplinary hearing and he would only be in a position to comment once he had documents in front of him.