Friday, July 11, 2014

BREAKING. Public Protector to launch a new investigation into appointment of SABC's matricless Hlaudi Motsoeneng's as COO.


South Africa's Public Protector Thuli Madonsela will start a new investigation into the SABC's famously matricless and highly controversial Hlaudi Motsoeneng following his permanent appointment in the position of chief operating officer (COO) - a position that was not advertised.

In a scathing report from the Public Protector's office released in February, it was found that Hlaudi Motsoeneng "should never have been appointed at the SABC".

The Public Protector has a recorded interview in which Hlaudi Motsoeneng admitted that he lied about having a matric and made up symbols for a matric certificate he knew he couldn't produce. The Public Protector's report also implicated him in multiple instances of maladministration, abuse of power and irregularities at the beleaguered SABC.

The SABC and the SABC has so far failed to act on the recommendations of the Public Protector's report and instead unexpectedly and shockingly appointed Hlaudi Motsoeneng permanently. It has lead to an avalanche of universal shock, scorn, outrage and condemnation from across South Africa.

Now the Public Protector will start a new investigation into Hlaudi Motsoeneng's controversial permanent appointment.

The new investigation - while the Public Protector is waiting for answers and responses from the SABC, SABC board and the new minister of communications, Faith Muthambi on the first report from February - will focus on whether Hlaudi Motsoeneng has the right qualifications to hold the position of SABC COO.

The new investigation will focus on the process of appointment, the job description, what qualifications are required, why the position was not advertised (it was last advertised in January 2012), and why the SABC board was suddenly pressured on Monday evening to vote seven to five to appoint Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) political party already welcomed the decision by the Public Protector to launch a new and second investigation into Hlaudi Motsoeneng and the SABC.

"There is ample evidence that the decision to appoint Hlaudi Motsoeneng was deeply flawed, irrational and possibly unlawful," says Gavin Davis, the DA's shadow minister of communications in a statement on Friday.

"The post was not advertised as no candidates were shortlisted and interviewed as stipulated in the SABC's Articles of Association; Hlaudi Motsoeneng is not in possession of the qualifications required for the post; and the decision to appoint him contradicts the Public Protector's report of 17 February which was damning in its assessment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng's conduct".