Parliament committee to quiz SABC board on Motsoeneng’s appointment next week

The board of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) board will be summoned to appear in Parliament in a week’s time to give answers about the appointment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as group executive of corporate affairs.

The Portfolio Committee on Communications had originally said that it would meet in the

next fortnight‚ but chairperson Humphrey Maxegwana told Radio 702 on Wednesday morning that the “urgent matter” was being brought forward despite the house “being in constituency recess”.

This comes after SABC board chairman Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe publicly endorsed Motsoeneng‚ telling a news conference on Tuesday that he remains an employee of the broadcaster and will be going back to position of GE corporate affairs.

And when the job of chief operating officer (COO) is advertised‚ he can apply‚ Maguvhe said.

When questioned that as it appeared that no interview was conducted‚ nor was Motsoeneng’s new position advertised‚ that the appointment showed a lack of “corporate governance”‚ Maxegwana said: “If that is the case‚ definitely.

“But‚ until we get that from the people involved — I watched the show myself‚ the press conference myself — and I hope that from the board and everyone else that was involved that due processes were followed. But that we’ll get from the board themselves next week‚” he added.

Maxegwana said he had noted and respected the comments made by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela‚ who on Tuesday slammed the Motsoeneng’s new appointment‚ and said her office would scrutinise the processes followed.

It was Madonsela’s finding that Motsoeneng had lied about his qualifications that ultimately led to a high court ruling which found his appointment as the SABC’s COO invalid. That ruling was affirmed by the Supreme Court of Appeal last week‚ when it refused to grant Motsoeneng leave to appeal it.

Maxegwana said Madonsela’s office occupied a different “terrain” to the portfolio committee‚ whose role is that “of oversight over the SABC board and the Communications Ministry”.

Communications Minister Faith Muthambi would also be called to appear at next week’s meeting‚ he added. – Tiso Black Star Group Digital