Controversial SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng was paid an R11,4m bonus after tax this week, the first part of a three-year set of payments that will total R33m, the City Press newspaper reported on Sunday.
The payments were reportedly made in two instalments of R5,7m each. The Sunday Times carried a similar report, but said Motsoeneng received R7m after tax (R10m before tax).
The bonus was reportedly for the negotiation of a channel supply agreement with DStv parent MultiChoice, in terms of which the public broadcaster, among other things, agreed controversially not to carry its channels over an encrypted terrestrial service. MultiChoice is involved in a protracted legal battle with rival e.tv over encryption.
According to City Press, the SABC is also set to thumb its nose at a supreme court of appeal judgment handed down last week, which set aside Motsoeneng’s appointment as permanent chief operating officer, by reappointing him as COO, albeit in an acting capacity.
Motsoeneng has reportedly received a letter confirming his appointment as the SABC’s group executive for corporate affairs.
City Press quoted four “well-placed and independent sources” at the SABC as saying that he will be asked to act in the vacant position of COO, “putting him right back where the courts said he should not be”.
According to the newspaper’s sources, the letter to Motsoeneng states that he will replace current corporate affairs head Bessie Tugwana, who will be moved to a newly created position as group executive for special projects. She will then act as head of corporate affairs (her old job), while Motsoeneng acts as COO until December. It is not clear what will happen after December.
The moves by the SABC come in spite of a statement on Friday by President Jacob Zuma in which he said he respected the court judgment against Motsoeneng.
“The presidency has noted and respects the judgment of the supreme court of appeal with regard to the position of the COO of the SABC,” the statement said.
“At the meeting between government and the judiciary last year, it was reaffirmed that government would respect court rulings. Government fully abides by that undertaking,” it continued.
“The courts are the highest arbiters in disputes in society and all in our country must respect the courts and ensure that the constitution and the rule of law prevail at all times.” — © 2016 NewsCentral Media
