Hlaudi has given the SABC Board another reason to suspend him 

02 July 2014

Acting Chief Operating Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng today confirmed why the SABC Board must suspend him without delay. 

Mr Motsoeneng reportedly told the ‘Radio Days' conference this morning that the media needs to be tightly regulated, and that journalists only report corruption because South Africa is governed by black people (see report).

These are not the considered opinions of a responsible and independent public broadcasting professional. They are the senseless ramblings of a man hell-bent on presenting Jacob Zuma's ANC in a positive light amidst the litany of corruption scandals that dog his Presidency.

Mr Motsoeneng's comments explain why he is still in his job some 45 days after the Public Protector's deadline to have him removed from office. He is being protected because, as a loyal cadre, he is doing what he has been deployed to do.

There is no reason for Mr Motsoeneng to still be at the SABC, and every reason to relieve him of his duties. The Public Protector found that he had lied about his qualifications and that he awarded himself irregular pay increases up to R2.4 million. Under his tenure, the SABC has hit rock bottom, earning a disclaimer of opinion from the Auditor-General.

I wrote to the Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi yesterday urging her to request the SABC Board to suspend Mr Motsoeneng, following her admission that she had made no progress in finding a replacement. 

Minister Muthambi has a unique opportunity to show she is serious about turning the SABC around and protecting its independence. Further inaction will only increase the perception that she has been deployed to turn the Communications Department into a propaganda machine for the ANC.

Statement issued by Gavin Davis, DA Shadow Minister of Communications, July 3 2014

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