SABC to fill key position

8411 2010.6.18 Flags and patriotism at the SABC, Auckland Park, Joburg. Picture: Cara Viereckl

8411 2010.6.18 Flags and patriotism at the SABC, Auckland Park, Joburg. Picture: Cara Viereckl

Published Nov 26, 2013

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The SABC should finally be able to advertise for a permanent chief operations officer within a few days, says Communications Minister Yunus Carrim.

This means controversial acting boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng – who endorsed a 70 percent “good news” quota at the public broadcaster – will be out of a job.

“We are very, very close. We were close before, but there were legal challenges...” Carrim, pictured, told the Cape Town Press Club yesterday.

Once the “legal niggles” were sorted out, the job would then be advertised. He did not go into detail about the legal issues.

The financially troubled broadcaster, which also has seen turmoil in its board and a series of chief executives come and go, has not had a permanent chief operations officer since Solly Mokoetle left in 2006.

Shortly after Motsoeneng was appointed as acting head in early 2012, there was an outcry over his lack of formal qualifications.

Although he received the support of then SABC chairman Ben Ngubane, it emerged a complaint had been lodged with the public protector for, among other things, the alleged axing of 14 staff members. A provisional report on this matter has now been issued by the public protector to affected parties for their comment, before a final report is released.

 

In February, the SABC board relieved Motsoeneng of his duties, but he was reinstated in March after then communications minister Dina Pule insisted the board meeting had not been properly constituted.

Instead all but one board member resigned and an interim board was appointed by Parliament. The current board took office last month.

The SABC yesterday declined to comment on the matter of the chief operations officer, saying it was for the minister to finalise.

The SABC received a disclaimer for the 2012/13 financial year from the auditor general for, among other things, having spent over R1.58 billion without supporting documentation, and also notching up just over R106 million in irregular expenditure. Other steps included looking at how the SABC could facilitate new entrants to the industry.

“We need to exercise far more strategic… oversight over the SABC without interfering in their operational control,” Carrim said. He added the new board should be allowed to find its feet.

City Press reported that the public protector’s provisional report, apparently titled “Blame Game”, recommended disciplinary action against Motsoeneng, who should also repay the irregular salary increases he received.

Another report, expected on Thursday, will look at the role of Pule and a senior communications department official in appointments at the SABC.

Carrim did not to go into detail, but said if allegations were made against an official, then the matter would have to be investigated.

However, it appears taking action against public servants is tricky. There have to date been no consequences for two communications officials although Parliament’s ethics committee in August recommended action against them for their role in millions of rands going missing from the June 2012 ICT Indaba.

This came after events organisers were allegedly bullied into hiring Khemano, the company of Pule’s companion Phosane Mngqibisa.

Carrim explained that because the ethics committee had referred the matter to the Public Service Commission, legal opinion held that its report was required before action could be taken. “We can’t act until the report is finalised.” - The Cape Argus

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