IT’S an embarrassment and unlawful.
These were the words used by Jackson Mthembu, ANC Chief Whip in Parliament, speaking about Hlaudi Motsoeneng’s latest appointment at the SABC.
“The decision to reappoint the former COO is in complete violation of the judgments of both the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal. It points to a management that has no respect for the rule of law,” Mthembu said.
He said it was certainly not the ANC protecting the former SABC COO.
“Who is protecting Motsoeneng? I have no idea,” he said.
Mthembu said he was not sent to work by the ANC.
“There are many people who are not deployed by the ANC who are doing a good job.”
But then he added: “But Hlaudi is not one of them. The board has a responsibility to immediately meet and rescind the decision,” he said.
Motsoeneng was appointed group executive of corporate affairs on Tuesday. Mthembu said the Supreme Court of Appeal judgment gave the board an opportunity to show what they can do but they had messed up.
“Which policy was used to hire him? There are procedures that need to be followed,” Mthembu said.
He said the broadcaster was forever in the headlines for the wrong reasons.
The party’s parliamentary caucus said that it would not tolerate this appointment and that action should be taken against the SABC board. The caucus described the appointment as the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Mthembu said they would recommend that Parliament instituted an inquiry into the fitness of the current SABC board.
He said: “After what they have done, we need to meet this board. I am not sure whether we can ask them to resign. This is what happens when you have people who have no respect for the rule of law.”
