SABC mum on disciplinary action against its COO
AUCKLAND PARK - Despite the Western Cape High Court ruling that SABC COO should be suspended, the officer is still reporting to duty as usual.
The SABC has not made it clear if they will be instituting any disciplinary action against their Chief Operations Officer (COO), Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
Last week, the Western Cape High Court ruled that Motsoeneng be suspended for 60 days, pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing by the SABC. It is understood that Motsoeneng has been reporting for duty at the SABC’s office in Auckland Park as usual, ever since the ruling that he should be suspended with immediate effect on 23 April. Spokesperson for the SABC Kaiser Kganyago could not be reached for comment to state if any disciplinary hearing will take place against the Motsoeneng. The application to the high court was made by the DA, as the party wanted an interim order that would have Motsoeneng go through a disciplinary hearing as recommended by the public protector.
Congress of the People (Cope) strongly believes that the Public Protector’s findings must serve as the foundation of disciplinary or corrective action against Motsoeneng.
Spokesperson for the party, Dennis Bloem said the meticulous work of that office cannot become an expensive exercise in futility because of political discomfort within the executive. “The executive branch of government has a moral duty to act on the Public protector’s finding to complete the circle in a partnership between the Public Protector and the Executive,” said Bloem.
He highlighted that the Constitution requires a joint responsibility by both organs of State in order to protect the public against the abuse of power.
“Let Motsoeneng appeal in his own individual right and let him fund his own costs. Cope does not support the decision of the SABC to appeal the case… We are totally opposed to the wasting of taxpayers’ money,” stated Bloem.
He continued, “Cope welcomes the ruling of Judge Ashton Schippers that Motsoeneng should be suspended for 60 days, pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing. This is what the Public Protector had recommended and that is what we support.”
He emphasised that the SABC is a public broadcaster and must protect the public interest.
Thus the SABC has an obligation to let Motsoeneng face a disciplinary enquiry.
Bloem also said his party calls on the Minister of Communications (Faith Muthambi) to intervene and stop the funding of the appeal by the SABC. “We want to caution the minister that the patience of people is running out. People will very soon stop paying their TV licenses. That time is approaching very fast… Those who falsify their qualifications to seek plumb appointments need to face the consequences of their actions,” concluded Bloem.
