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The Special Investigating Unit has told Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications that it is now on the hunt to recover funds that the South African Broadcasting Corporation lost through irregular contracts, promotions, appointments and pay hikes.
Not only was the SIU looking to recover at least R33m that the broadcaster lost, at least two thirds of it from former chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng personally, the investigating unit told Parliament that it was pursing civil and criminal cases against him and other individuals.
Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said in a 2014 report that a number of promotions, appointments and pay increases at the public service broadcaster were irregular.
SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi told Parliament that the unit sought to recover R21.7m from Motsoeneng for irregular appointments, dismissals and promotions.
The unit also said former SABC CEO James Aguma would be held accountable for any role he played in clearing contracts found to be irregular.
It added that it had referred a case against former SABC group sports executive Sully Motsweni for instigating SABC contracts of a combined worth of R82m found to have been irregular. Motsweni is due to appear in court in April.
The SIU gave Parliament an amended proclamation with the order of President Cyril Ramaphosa, referring to procurement on behalf of the SABC that was not "fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective" or in contravention of applicable legislation.
Companies on this document include Lornavision, Vision View Productions, Sekela Xabiso, Lezaf Consulting, Gekkonomix, Asante Sana, Foxton Communicating, Mott MacDonald and Mafoko Security Patrols.
What was once the Gupta-owned New Age newspaper has also come under fire for its dealings with the SABC. Earlier in November, the SIU vowed to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts that it would not allow the liquidation of TNA Media, which owned the rebranded Afro Voice, to stop it from pursuing money the SABC is deemed to have lost by paying for its business breakfasts and broadcasting them.
