FORMER chief operating officer of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Hlaudi Motsoeneng has written a four-page letter in response to a court ruling that he must pay back more than R11,5 million.
The South Gauteng High Court ordered him to pay the broadcaster back the money he was given by the board for brokering a deal with MultiChoice as it was unlawful and invalid. He claimed instead of getting credit for assisting the SABC while it was struggling financially, he was cast as a villain.
“During my tenure, there was a huge improvement in sourcing of local content, including the promotion of local sports, artists and the empowerment of women and people living with disabilities,” he wrote.
“I stand tall today from the misty hills of Thaba Bosiu in QwaQwa without any fear of contradictions when I say I created and sustained jobs and livelihoods during my tenure at the SABC. I have always tried my best to and I was not paid R11 million as the court found.”
Motsoeneng said he had instructed his legal team to appeal the ruling.
“I have never stolen any cent from the SABC. I was paid by my bosses. In history, I have never heard an employee rejecting a payment,” he said.
