The South African Ministry of Women has welcomed a Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) probe into reports acting South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng received a ‘wife’ as a gift last week.
HumanIPO reported last week the Sowetan newspaper revealed traditional Venda chiefs in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, on Wednesday gave the controversial Motsoeneng a wife, a cow and a calf.
The newspaper reported 10 women were lined up for Motsoeneng to choose from, with the woman he chose – a 23-year-old human resources management student – pictured bare-breasted next to him.
Yesterday the CGE confirmed it had received a complaint over the incident and was investigating.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Women in the Presidency Kenosi Machepa said the practice of offering wives as gifts under the guise of tradition and culture was “solemnly regrettable” and an insult to the gains made in 20 years of democracy.
“Colonialism, harmful cultural and religious practices promoted patriarchy and the oppression of women and apartheid further entrenched discrimination based on gender and laws that oppressed women,” she said.
“Since 1994, remarkable progress has been made in raising the voice of women through the creation of participatory spaces and structures. As the department responsible for the championing of the rights of women, we cannot sit back and allow women to be treated like secondary citizens with no acclaim to human rights.”
HumanIPO reported in February public protector Thuli Madonsela released her report into various allegations surrounding the SABC, finding the appointment of Motsoeneng was irregular and based on lies by him about his qualifications, as well as finding he gave himself numerous pay increments, while also confirming his role in a string of irregular employment practices, massive financial losses, and unlawful conduct at the state broadcaster.
Madonsela asked then-communications minister Yunus Carrim to find a suitable candidate to replace Motsoeneng within 90 days of her report.
However, Motsoeneng said at the end of last month he had not yet received any communication from his employer since the publication of the public protector’s report, in spite of the 90 day deadline lapsing.
