SABC request to postpone Mostoeneng inquiry is baseless

Reports alleging that the SABC has requested a postponement of the disciplinary inquiry of its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Hlaudi Motsoeneng, are worrying. If these reports are true it would be a preposterous move by the SABC who has been compelled by the Supreme Court Appeal (SCA) to institute disciplinary proceedings within the prescribed timelines. 

The reasons given to motivate for this postponement are spurious and without basis. The SABC has requested more time to determine how Public Protector, Adv Thuli Madonsela, came to her findings and remedial actions in her February 2014 report entitled “When Governance and Ethics Fail”. This is absurd considering that this matter has been the subject of vigorous litigation for almost a year.

The implication that the SABC throughout this judicial process has not applied its mind to the Public Protector’s investigation is matter between the SABC and its legal counsel and is irrelevant to the court ordered disciplinary. 

In any event the reasons given for requesting a postponement are baseless because it is simply untrue. The SABC’s legal counsel would have had to engage the Public Protector’s findings as is the normal process. If not, what exactly have the SABC and Mr Motsoeneng been objecting to? 

This is a desperate attempt by the SABC, no doubt at the behest of Mr Motsoeneng, to shield himself from accountability even if it means acting in direct contravention of an order of the SCA on patently irrational grounds.

The facts are clear. Mr Motsoeneng is, as a matter of law, suspended and must immediately be subject to a disciplinary inquiry. 

Issued by James Selfe, Chairperson of the DA’s’ Federal Executive, 30 October 2015