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Cape Town – The SABC saw no need to advertise the position of group executive of corporate affairs as it was reserved for its former chief operating officer (COO), the beleaguered Hlaudi Motsoeneng, according to Communications Minister Faith Muthambi.
Responding to a parliamentary question posed by the Democratic Alliance’s Phumzile van Damme, she said Motsoeneng was “reinstated to the position he had occupied prior to his appointment as COO”.
In September this year, the Supreme Court of Appeal set aside Motsoeneng’s appointment as COO, but he was soon redeployed to his former position of corporate affairs executive.
Bessie Tungwana, who had previously held the position of head of corporate affairs, was appointed as acting COO.
Muthambi and the public broadcaster have come under fire for summarily redeploying the controversial Motsoeneng to another high-ranking position at the SABC.
Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning and Monitoring Jeff Radebe earlier said at a media briefing that Motsoeneng’s reappointment smacked of disrespect for the rule of law.
At the time, Cabinet issued a stern warning to the SABC board to abide by the Supreme Court ruling and not “subvert” the court’s decision through “legally suspect interpretations”.
Meanwhile, two of the three remaining members of the SABC board stepped down on Tuesday. The resignations of Vuyo Mhlakaza and Aaron Tshidzumba mean chairperson Mbulaheni Maguvhe is the only non-executive member remaining.
During a parliamentary briefing in October, board members Krish Naidoo and Vusi Mavuso resigned and distanced themselves from the board’s decision to redeploy Motsoeneng.
Parliament established an ad hoc committee to investigate the SABC board's fitness to govern. African National Congress MP Vincent Smith was elected chairperson of the committee, which resolved to report back to Parliament on February 15 2017.
