DA triumphs on Motsoeneng suspension

21 October 2015

Following the DA’s letter to the SABC, the SABC has subsequently agreed to the terms of suspension of its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Hlaudi Motsoeneng, as set out by both the Western Cape High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). 

A letter from the SABC to the DA’s legal counsel confirms that “they accept the terms as contained in paragraph 6 of your [the DA’s] letter…in relation to Mr Motsoeneng’s voluntary leave of absence.”

To this end, pursuant to paragraph 6 of the DA’s letter, the SABC confirms that they accept that Mr Motsoeneng:

-Will not be allowed to access the premises of the SABC, other than for the purpose of attending his disciplinary inquiry;

-Will not be permitted to contact any SABC employees, or access any company documents, either physically or electronically; and 

-Will not exercise any of the powers of the COO or participate in matters relating to the Board or in the governance of the SABC.

As such the DA reached a settlement that we would postpone the application for contempt of Court indefinitely as our concerns have been addressed and satisfied in full. Should we be concerned about the terms not being met, we will be entitled to approach Court again.

It was critical to get the SABC to insist that Mr Motsoeneng comply with these stipulations while he is the subject of a disciplinary inquiry so that he cannot pollute the integrity of the inquiry.

Also, an “independent person” must preside over the disciplinary proceedings. We will be watching closely.

This settlement is a resounding victory for every person who values our constitutional democracy and independent public broadcasting. The suspension of Mr. Motsoeneng is an opportunity to start getting the SABC back on track.

Statement issued by James Selfe MP, Chairperson of the DA's Federal Executive, 21 October 2015