The embattled COO of the South African public broadcaster went on a self-imposed "leave of absence" on Friday - apparently without the SABC's even knowing about it when asked.
SABc spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago told City Press on Friday night that he wasn't aware that Hlaudi Motsoeneng had left.
"I don't know if he has gone on voluntary leave. I am not aware. We don't have a category like that at the SABC, voluntary leave," said Kaizer Kganyago.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng's leave of absence follows after he was charged with alleged extreme dishonest in faking qualifications, extreme dishonesty in misleading the SABC, abuse of power as COO, abuse of position as acting COO, gross misconduct, as well as abuse of position as acting COO of allegedly firing senior staff members who had a different opinion than him.
These charges are contained in the charge sheet the SABC served on its second highest ranking executive who has to appear at a disciplinary hearing on 30 October.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng has not been suspended by the SABC pending the disciplinary hearing - the issue of contention and the crux of just one of the protracted court cases against him - but he has now decided to take a voluntary leave of absence.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng's lawyer, Zola Majavu indicated that Hlaudi Motsoeneng "as at 12:30 [on Friday] has voluntarily removed himself from the workplace."
"He will remain on a voluntary leave of absence until the completion of disciplinary proceedings which the SABC has instituted against him".
