New Motsoeneng battle looms at SABC

SABC’s covert plan to find a way of resurrecting Hlaudi Motsoeneng as chief operating officer in the face of court rulings setting aside his appointment faces a union challenge – and pressure from the DA (see report below) – should it go ahead, notes Legalbrief. A Business Day report confirms plans are afoot to keep Motsoeneng at the SABC, quoting what it describes as a highly-placed source at the broadcaster as saying board chair Obert Maguvhe is leading the campaign. ‘Most of the board members seem intent to do everything within their power to retain Hlaudi in whatever senior position. Even if it’s not COO, Maguvhe and others want him at the SABC … They are prepared to create a post for him,’ the source is quoted as saying. Business Day says it has seen a copy of a memo from group company secretary Theresa Geldenhuys to board members proposing that Motsoeneng be appointed acting chief operating officer until December 2016. Maguvhe reportedly refused to comment. The report quotes Broadcasting, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union (Bemawu) president Hannes du Buisson as saying Motsoeneng was not eligible for any acting position at the SABC because he was no longer an employee. The union would consider approaching the courts should Motsoeneng be appointed in any capacity. ‘Any acting position should be occupied by an SABC employee … and should he be appointed to any new post, that post has to be advertised … we are seeking legal advice on the matter,’ Du Buisson said. Bemawu claims to represent more than 1 000 workers at the public broadcaster.

The DA has given the SABC until Monday to say what position Motsoeneng now occupies and when he was appointed to it, says a BDlive report. This‚ the party’s James Selfe said yesterday‚ follows ‘the SCA’s rejection of his frivolous petitions for leave to appeal’ a High Court ruling that set aside his appointment as chief operating officer. Selfe said the DA’s legal team ‘has written to the SABC’ and ‘requested confirmation that Motsoeneng currently occupies another position‚ the relevant details of that position‚ and when he was appointed to that position; another person has been appointed to act as chief operating officer and the name of that person; and the SABC has started a legitimate process to appoint a permanent chief operating officer that is consistent with the Broadcasting Act‚ its articles of association and the board charter’.