Protector apologises to ex SABC staffer

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela. File picture: Thobile Mathonsi

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela. File picture: Thobile Mathonsi

Published Feb 18, 2014

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Johannesburg - Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has apologised to former SABC employee Hannes du Buisson for naming him in her report on SABC acting chief operations officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

“(She) apologises for the error and possible unfounded inferences that may imply that there was any wrongdoing found against Mr Du Buisson's person,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The... mention of Mr Hannes Du Buisson in the unedited executive summary distributed on Monday was in relation to an allegation made by the complainants. However, the allegation could not be substantiated and no finding was made.”

On Monday, Madonsela released her report and found Motsoeneng's appointment was irregular, as was his salary progression. She found Motsoeneng rapidly increased the salaries of various staff members, resulting in the state broadcaster footing an unprecedented salary bill escalation of R29 million.

“He unilaterally increased (the) salaries of Ms Motsweni, Ms Thobekile Khumalo, Mr Hannes du Buisson, and certain freelancers without following parts of the SABC personnel regulations,” Madonsela said in the report.

Du Buisson said he was offended by the allegation, as he had not worked for the SABC in the past 14 years.

“I am not employed by the SABC. I was employed there 14 years ago,” he said.

Du Buisson, who is president of the Broadcasting, Electronic Media, and Allied Workers Union, said he had contacted Madonsela's office to demand a correction.

Sapa

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