Muthambi confirms SABC COO and Group Executive of Corporate Affairs positions not advertised

16 November 2016

We now have confirmation that Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s current position at the SABC as Group Executive of Corporate Affairs, as well as his former position as Chief Operating Officer (COO) were filled without being advertised.

Communications Minister, Faith Muthambi confirmed this in a reply to a DA parliamentary question.

When asked whether the two positions were advertised externally before the appointments of Motsoeneng as GECA and Ms Bessi Tungwana as COO, Minister Muthambi replies:

“No, the positions of (a) Group Executive of Corporate Affairs and (b) Chief Operating Officer (COO) were not advertised. There was no need to advertise the position of COO, as Ms Tugwana is acting in this position. Mr Motsoeneng was reinstated to the position he occupied prior to his appointment as the COO”.

The Minister also does not provide indication of whether the COO position will be advertised, lending credence to the perception that the position is being kept for Mr Motsoeneng. The position of SABC CEO was advertised on 2 October 2016. Why has the COO position not been advertised?

The DA will ensure this matter is addressed and our questions answered during hearings of the ad hoc committee on the SABC inquiry due to begin on ‪November 29.

The DA will ensure that stability is restored to the SABC, so that the nation’s broadcaster resumes its core business of delivering “a variety of high quality programmes and services through television and radio that informs, educates, entertains and supports the public at large”.

Issued by Phumzile Van Damme, DA Shadow Minister of Communications, 16 November 2016