The EFF welcomes the court ruling on Hlaudi Motsoeneng that he must be suspended and subjected to a disciplinary hearing

24 October 2014

The Economic Freedom Fighters welcomes the ruling of the Western Cape High Court today which has ordered the SABC board to serve its COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng with a notice of charges within 14 days for alleged dishonesty relating to his qualifications. Judge Aston Schippers has ruled that the charges should also include the abuse of power, improper conduct relating to Motsoeneng's role in the alleged suspension and dismissal of senior SABC staff members.

The judge has also ordered that an independent person must preside over the disciplinary process which must be completed within 60 calendar days. In addition the court ruled that Motsoeneng should be suspended pending the outcome of the disciplinary process.

The EFF welcomes the ruling as a vindication of the Public Protector whose office the ANC government has defied, ridiculed and attacked. The Public Protector initially conducted an investigation and recommended disciplinary action be taken against Hlaudi Motsoeneng after he lied about passing matric. Despite this fact, the Board and the Minister of Communications decided to illegally make his appointment as the COO permanent.

The court ruling must serve as a lesson in respect of the findings of the Public Protector on Nkandla and what President Zuma must do. There is no other way out of her findings that Zuma must pay back the money. There is no amount of Ad Hoc committee protection and attack on Thuli Madonsela that will change the simple fact that Zuma must pay back the money.

The court ruling on Motsoeneng will also contribute to the restoration of the reputation of the public broadcaster that has been dragged in the mud by the COO and board chairperson. The EFF believes that Motsoeneng must do the honourable thing and resign and allow reputable and qualified people to do the job.

Statement issued by the Economic Freedom Fighters, October 24 2014

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