Defiant SABC boss to fight on

Controversial SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng, whose immediate suspension was ordered by the Western Cape High Court yesterday, is determined to take his legal battles as far as the Constitutional Court if necessary – a process that will settle once and for all the extent of the powers of the Public Protector, notes Legalbrief. Yesterday, according to a Business Day report, Judge Ashton Schippers upheld a DA application that the SABC immediately suspend Motsoeneng pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing against him. Schippers also ruled the SABC must complete its disciplinary hearing within 60 days of yesterday’s ruling and, if it could not, it must supply reasons to the court. However, the judge also granted Motsoeneng, the SABC and Communications Minister Faith Muthambi leave to appeal his 24 October ruling that Motsoeneng face disciplinary charges by the SABC. That case was brought by the DA following a report by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela that Motsoeneng had lied about his educational qualifications, had intimidated staff and had irregularly increased his salary from R1.5m to R2.4m in one year, and that his appointment as acting chief operating officer was irregular. the report notes Muthambi decided to make his appointment permanent in July, disregarding Madonsela’s findings. She said there was no need for a disciplinary hearing.