On Sunday the City Press and Sunday World newspapers reported that Chris Maroleng could be fired after he faced an enquiry and was found guilty over charges of gross negligence and breaching fiduciary duty that could lead to his dismissal from the South African public broadcaster.
So far there's been no statement from the SABC and SABC spokesperson Vuyo Mthembu told City Press that "The SABC will not discuss the details of the disciplinary hearing and has no further comment on this matter at this stage".
According to the City Press report, the SABC also investigated the alleged protection of Chris Maroleng of Marchi Mahlalela, the SABC's former acting SABC Sport boss, who resigned from the SABC following her own disciplinary hearing.
Chris Maroleng reportedly used his SABC COO position to try and help Marchi Mahlalela getting hired at the South African Rugby Union (Saru) and going as far as allegedly writing a letter in his official capacity as SABC COO to confirm that Marchi Mahlalela was innocent of any wrongdoing.
The SABC through SABC CEO Madoda Mxakwe then wrote its own letter to Saru - different from Chris Maroleng - stating that the SABC COO does not represent the South African public broadcaster's stance on the matter.
Madoda Mxakwe in his letter wrote to Saru stating, "I would like to place it on record that the SABC distances itself from the contents of the letter dated 2 August 2018 as signed by the SABC COO Chris Maroleng. His letter does not represent the SABC's position on this matter".
Chris Maroleng was reportedly also found guilty of approving a monthly acting allowance of over R15 000 for an employee despite a written decision from the SABC's human resources division to the contrary.
According to the Sunday World newspaper, some of the charges also relate to Chris Maroleng's alleged role in the controversial reappointment of sports presenter Robert Marawa back to the SABC.
According to the reports, the charges against Chris Maroleng constitute grounds for dismissal and the newly quorate SABC board will have to decide if they will fire him as SABC COO over it.
According to City Press quoting insider sources "there have been a string of disagreements between Chris Maroleng and some board members, as well as SABC CEO Madoda Mxakwe".
