September 19, 2016

MMA Welcomes Supreme Court of Appeal Decision to Dismiss Hlaudi’s Application

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Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) welcomes the decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal to dismiss SABC COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s application for leave to appeal a ruling made by the High Court to set aside his appointment as SABC COO.

The ruling means the decision by the Minister of Communications to appoint Mr Motsoeneng was  irrational and invalid. The appointment followed the damning Public Protector’s findings surrounding MrMotsoeneng including issues of corporate governance and massive salary increases, these can be found in her report “When Governance and Ethics Fail.”
We call on the SABC Board to do the honourable thing, to not only abide by the courts ruling and revoke Mr Motsoeneng’s appointment as COO of the SABC, but to terminate his employment as an SABC employee in all positions.
The ruling is another clear indication of how some are using the law to delay what was clear to begin with – that the appointment was irrational.  As with the Icasa case on the banning of showing public protests the outcome was clear, and while it vindicated our decision to take the matter to Icasa, it shouldn’t have got there to begin with.  While the ruling today is another for common sense and in line with good law and our constitution Mr Motsoeneng’s departure, should it occur, is only one critical step that needs to be taken in rebuilding the credibility of the Sabc. We again call on parliament to hold a public inquiry into the Sabc.
For more information contact
William Bird (MMA Director)
+2711 788 1278
Thandi Smith (Head of Policy)
+2711 788 1278