South Africa’s public protector Thuli Madonsela and minister of communications Faith Muthambi have agreed to work “in a spirit of cooperative governance” with regard to forging an outcome to the controversy surrounding the permanent appointment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as chief operating officer (COO) of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
HumanIPO reported in July Motsoeneng was appointed permanent COO of the state broadcaster – having previously been acting COO -, despite the findings of Madonsela that the initial appointment of Motsoeneng was irregular and based on fraudulent claims by him as to his qualifications; as well as a range of finding of misconduct in office.
Madonsela called on then communications minister Yunus Carrim to fill the position of COO with a suitably qualified candidate within 90 days; a recommendation which was not adhered to.
Opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) launched legal action against the appointment, which was countered by legal filings by the SABC, and communications minister Muthambi; with the case heard in court on Tuesday.
Madonsela and Muthambi yesterday issued a statement revealing they had met to discuss the controversy surrounding Motsoeneng’s appointment.
“The meeting was cordial, fruitful and informative on the mandate of the Public Protector vis-à-vis the role and functions of the Minister and her Department with regard to the investigation,” the statement said.
Madonsela and Muthambi said they have “agreed a way forward in addressing the matter [of Motsoeneng’s appointment]”, but did not give further details.
Going forward, the parties said their respective offices will “work in a spirit of cooperative governance” regarding Motsoeneng’s appointment and other “issues of mutual concern”.
