The Western Cape High Court was asked to order the suspension of the SABC's famously matricless chief operating officer (Hlaudi Motsoeneng) because he is a "toxic element" who lied about his qualifications.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) political party on Tuesday asked the Western Cape High Court for an urgent interim interdict for the removal of the controversial Hlaudi Motsoeneng from the SABC.
Despite the scathing report from the Public Protector released in February implicating Hlaudi Motsoeneng in maladministration at the SABC as well as a recorded interview in which he admitted about lying about having a matric and having "made up symbols" for a matric certificate he knew he couldn't produce, the recalcitrant SABC has not sanctioned, suspended or acted against Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng is implicated in the Public Protector's report in his massive salary increase from R1.5 million to R2.4 million in just one year, and that he was involved in the firing of every single person who testified against him at a previous SABC disciplinary hearing.
The SABC's chairperson, Ellen Tshabalala who also has questions swirling about her post graduate qualifications, in court documents says the SABC knew that Hlaudi Motsoeneng doesn't have a matric.
Yet Hlaudi Motsoeneng's application form at the SABC clearly shows that SABC personnel wrote that a matric certificate is still outstanding, as well as symbols filled-in for a matric certificate.
In court papers Ellen Tshabalala says Hlaudi Motsoeneng is not dishonest, had never misled the SABC has not been responsible for irregular spending.
Lawyer Anton Katz for the DA political party told the court that Hlaudi Motsoeneng is "a toxic element running through that organisation" and said that it is urgent that he be removed from the SABC.
Anton Katz said that SABC employees are scared of Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
The application for an urgent interdict to remove Hlaudi Motsoeneng focused on his alleged "unlawful" appointment as COO at the SABC by the SABC board.
Outside the front entrance of the Western Cape High Court some members of the Ses'Khona People's Rights Movement were toyi-toying saying Hlaudi Motsoeneng must stay because the SABC has "a good story to tell" and that they don't care whether he has a matric or not.
