The SABC must act in line with a commitment President Jacob Zuma made to the judiciary that government departments and state institutions will not ignore court rulings, according to the ANC.
The comments by the party’s national spokesman, Zizi Kodwa, come after reports that the SABC board has written a letter to communications minister Faith Muthambi asking that she appoints former chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng as the acting chief operating officer until December 2016.
On Monday, the supreme court of appeal rejected his bid for leave to appeal a high court finding which found the process of his appointment to have been flawed. The embattled former COO who had over recent years fought to keep his job has since returned to the public broadcaster as an ordinary employee.
He broke his silence on the developments at Kwaito star Mandoza’s funeral on Friday, saying he would return to the public broadcaster stronger.
Kodwa said Zuma, when meeting with the judiciary, committed that state-owned enterprises, government departments and agencies would implement court rulings.
“This is an opportunity for the SABC to close the chapter and ongoing saga around the qualifications and appointment of Motsoeneng,” said Kodwa.
The Democratic Alliance has said it will take the matter back to court if Muthambi grants the board’s request to allow Motsoeneng to continue working as COO, even if its in an acting capacity.
Kodwa said the ANC expected the public broadcaster to respect the ruling and implement it speedily. “The supreme court of appeal ruling against the SABC’s Motsoeneng must be respected. It must abide by the ruling of the court.”
Meanwhile, the ANC Youth League, during a media briefing after its national executive committee meeting, expressed confidence in Motsoeneng, calling on the board to open the position so he could apply for it and return to that position.
