AS IT HAPPENED: Defiant Motsoeneng, SABC chair hit back

Motsoeneng referring to himself in the third person again. He's now referring to an internal SABC disciplinary hearing that cleared him of charges: 

"If Hlaudi is cleared Hlaudi can apply for that job."

Motsoeneng has also hit out at the media again: "You are malicious some of you."

Motsoeneng: "I have never lied about matric certificate."

"I was cleared."

"Because some people are malicious they think the SABC cooked lousy charges."

Motsoeneng has taken to the podium once again to answer questions from journalists.

He's talking about an open letter he wrote over the weekend.

SABC board chairperson, Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe, is on stage again. He is hitting out at the media, accusing it of using "dishonest tactics" when reporting on the ANC.

Motsoeneng:

"We wanted to use the money to empower black people."

"Let me tell you SABC is doing very, very well."

Motsoeneng:

"Now because you are paying black people there is crisis at the SABC."

"We are investing money were we need to invest the money."

Motsoeneng: "Who are you if you are not an auditor general to say the SABC is not doing well ."

Motsoeneng hits out at reports of R5bn irregular expenditure at the SABC, according to its latest annual report.

Motsoeneng: "History will tell you I was dismissed by the SABC - two days later I was back."

Motsoeneng has also hit out at the press media, saying it is weighed down by retrenchments.

Motsoeneng says he is sticking to his guns on transformation:

"I'm not afraid of any noise."

"I'm not a coward, people should know that."

Motsoeneng: 

"Everywhere I go around the world, people acknowledge Hlaudi."

"I know what's happening in South Africa."

Motsoeneng: "My job as COO was broadcasting and I had been a broadcaster in my life."

"Should I go back to school the answer is a big no."

"I am able to beat people with degrees."

Hlaudi:

"I encourage people to study.

"One of my kids is doing honors next year which means I support education.                         

"I understand importance of education.                         

"When I employ people with qualification."

SABC acting GM HR Keobokile Mosweu on Hlaudi Motsoeneng:

"Hluadi is educated...He is skilled enough."

SABC board chairperson, Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe, responds to questions about whether or not he will resign.

"I cross the bridge when I come to it."

"I can't give an undertaking to something I don't know."

SABC acting GM HR Keobokile Mosweu:

"As soon as Hlaudi came from free state to Auckland Park, there was a turn around strategy which he drove."

"He made sure people's jobs are safe."

"We have duty as public broadcaster to alleviate poverty."

SABC acting GM HR Keobokile Mosweu:

"From SABC perspective Hlaudi led process of converting staff from labour brokerage to permanent."

SABC board chairperson, Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe, says:

"I'm still waiting for the letter, bullying me to resign."

"And that is what they are saying. Through the so-called inquiry they want me to become the coward."

"I haven't acclimatised myself to the contents of the letter."

"Let the inquiry come. It means I am going nowhere. Let the inquiry come."

SABC board chairperson, Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe, says he understands the Broadcasting Act. 

"I don't claim to be a legal expert, but from a layman's point of view, at least I know what those acts are all about."

SABC board chairperson, Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe, is explaining why some SABC board members were previously fired:

"I want media to have evidence this is not fabricated."

"Another didn't declare interest and we found he was an auditor of three companies doing business with us here. And I also have that evidence."

"Parliament said they were doing a sterling job and they shouldn't be fired."

"I never mentioned names and I will never mention names."

"Issue of one board member who was fired is because she was involved in fraudulent conduct and I have proof of that," says SABC board chairperson Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe.

"The people you trust are not as faithful as you believe," says Maguvhe.

Earlier, Maguvhe said that information on some SABC members' devices were wiped out yesterday before they entered Parliament.

SABC board chairperson, Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe:

"We were blamed for having fired board members and we were told that don't have powers to do so."

"The companies act...gives us those powers. Maghuve is alleging that MPs in Parliament yesterday weren't objective."

He has also accused the MPs of implementing bullying tactics.

SABC board chairperson, Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe, says: "Normally when we go to Parliament we get a a brief what portfolio committee expects from the board in the form of a letter."

"On the last round of questions we were never given an opportunity to respond."

SABC board chairperson, Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe, has started the briefing saying the following:

"I want to start by welcoming members of the media."

"There are issues that I want to discuss."

"Let's leave the issue to whether I'm resigning or not."

"There are perceptions that have been created with the aim of tarnishing us."

"Today is the day that I'm going to set the record straight."

"Today is the second round of setting the record straight."

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Communications Minister Faith Muthambi distanced her office from former government spin doctor Mzwanele “Jimmy” Manyi.

Earlier this week, Manyi tweeted  that SABC executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng was on the “right side” of the Employment Equity Act regarding his qualifications.

Manyi further tweeted that SABC governance issues are board matters and have nothing to do with Motsoeneng.It has been previously reported that Manyi is a special advisor to Muthambi.

But Muthambi’s office, in a statement Thursday, distanced herself from Manyi, who is currently the President of Progressive Professionals Forum and heads up the ‘Decolonisation Forum’.