Hlaudi appointment: DA welcomes new Public Protector investigation

11 July 2014

The DA welcomes reports that the Public Protector is to launch a new investigation into SABC Chief Operating Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

It is reported that the investigation will consider what process was followed in appointing Mr Motsoeneng, whether he has the qualifications required for the post, whether or not the post was advertised and why key recommendations in the previous Public Protector's report were ignored.

There is ample prima facie evidence that the decision to appoint Mr Motsoeneng was deeply flawed, irrational and possibly unlawful:

The post was not advertised and no candidates were shortlisted and interviewed, as stipulated in the SABC's Articles of Association;

Mr Motsoeneng is not in possession of the qualifications required for the post;

The decision contradicted the Public Protector's Report of 17 February which was damning in its assessment of Mr Motsoeneng's conduct;

The DA is currently in consultation with its legal team to assess the feasibility of having Hlaudi Motsoeneng's appointment overturned in a court of law. 

Mr Motsoeneng is bad news for every South African who values independent public broadcasting. We will keep fighting to ensure that justice and common sense prevails.

Statement issued by Gavin Davis, DA Shadow Minister of Communications, July 11 2014

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter