CC image courtesy of Zaian.
South African communications minister Faith Muthambi has filed papers opposing a court challenge by opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) to the permanent appointment of South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
HumanIPO reported earlier this month the DA would be taking legal action against Motsoeneng’s appointment, which occurred inspite of calls from numerous parties to have him suspended after findings by public protector Thuli Madonsela, who reported the COO had lied about his education history and given himself raises while holding the position.
However, the South African Press Association (SAPA) reports Muthambi is supporting Motsoeneng and said she had filed papers opposing the court challenge.
“I have already done that,” she told reporters at parliament, though she declined to reveal the reasons for her opposition as the matter was sub judice.
“There are processes and you must respect that they are sub judice. It is unfair to me to ask that,” she said, also dismissing calls to make public the findings of a law firm which advised the SABC board on the public protector’s report.
“The SABC appointed a legal firm to assist them to deal with the matters raised by the public protector… that legal opinion cleared Mr Motsoeneng of any wrongdoing to that effect,” she said.
“I indicated that my confirmation of the appointment of Mr Motsoeneng was based on what the SABC brought to me, the recommendations.”
