Disciplinary papers served on Hlaudi
THE SABC has served disciplinary papers on its chief operations officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
The public broadcaster’s spokesman, Kaizer Kganyago, confirmed yesterday that papers had been served on Motsoeneng on Monday, and the hearing had been set down for October 30.
Speaking to journalists at the Western Cape High Court, Kganyago said he could not divulge the charges, as it was an internal matter.
He was attending an application launched by the DA to have the decision to appoint Motsoeneng as permanent chief operations officer reviewed and set aside.
Outside the court, a group of Motsoeneng supporters sang and danced, holding a large banner with “Hands Off Hlaudi” written on it.
Motsoeneng himself was in court yesterday, listening to arguments about whether the communications minister’s decision to appoint him had been a rational one.
Judge Dennis Davis said he “must test the rationality of the decision-making of the minister in appointing Motsoeneng, as this was a case about the minister, not Motsoeneng”. Earlier, he said: “I don’t have to make a decision about Motsoeneng’s guilt or innocence. That is for a disciplinary hearing to decide.” Last year, the public protector found the decision to appoint Motsoeneng as acting chief operations officer had been irregular, as he had fraudulently claimed to have a matric, among other reasons.
Despite her recommendations that he face disciplinary charges, his position was made permanent.
Communications Minister Faith Muthambi later said Mchunu Attorneys had found Motsoeneng had not been guilty of any wrongdoing.
Lawyers for the DA will ask Judge Davis to rule in the matter before the SABC’s disciplinary hearing on October 30.
Advocate Anton Katz SC, for the DA, told the court earlier that the case was about the “rule of law, not the rule of man”.