A provisional report from Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, bites into the SABC, calling out the broadcaster, executives and former communication minister, Dina Pule, for unlawful behaviour.
This is according to a report by the City Press, which highlights that Pule’s post-position woes are set to continue, as another Public Protector report regarding the controversial ICT Indaba is also set to be released.
Looking at the SABC, Madonsela reportedly fingered current acting COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, and group CEO, Lulama Mokhobo for unlawful and improper conduct surrounding salary hikes and abuse of power.
However, both current and previous executives are called out in the report, the City Press said, with Madonsela calling for disciplinary action against them:
- Dina Pule – Should be censured by Parliament for issuing “unlawful orders”
- Lulama Mokhobo – Should be disciplined for abusing her power to appoint Motsoeneng, and hiking salaries;
- Ben Ncube – former board chairman, Ncube “meddled with executive functions” and should be disciplined;
- Hlaudi Motsoeneng – Should pay back irregular salary increases and have his position filled by someone who’s qualified.
Central to the report, Motsoeneng is singled out for not being qualified for the position he holds, and abusing his power in purging SABC staff, and hiking salaries, including his own, which jumped from R1.4 million to R2.7 million in a year.
The other executives mentioned in the report are all castigated for their roles in facilitating the appointment of Motsoeneng.
According to the City Press, as the report is provisional, none of the parties mentioned would comment on the issues raised until the final report was issued.