Madonsela's office welcomes SCA ruling on Hlaudi
The Public
Protector's office says yesterday's Supreme Court of Appeal ruling regarding
SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng is important to the office's integrity.
Motsoeneng lost his appeal bid against a Western Cape High Court ruling that
he be suspended while the SABC institutes disciplinary proceedings based on the
Public Protector's findings on the SABC last year.
The SCA also ruled that Thuli Madonsela's recommendations or remedial
actions cannot be trumped by parallel investigations.
Last year, Mandonsela found that Motsoeneng had been irregularly appointed by the SABC; that his salary had been irregularly increased from R1.5 million to R2.4 million; and that Motsoeneng had lied about having matric.
Opposition parties have welcomed the judgement, saying it affirms the
importance and independence of Madonsela's office.
Congress of the People's Dennis Bloem says this ruling has great implications for [the R246m upgrades at] Nkandla, which Madonsela also investigated and found President Jacob Zuma and his family had materially benefitted.
"It is now very clear that the recommendations of the Public
Protector on the President must also be implemented without any delay. If the
President is not going to implement it, then it means the President disrespects
the findings of the Public Protector," he said.
The SABC says it is studying the SCA ruling.
(File photo)