SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng received a massive increase in salary in the broadcaster’s most recent financial year, it has been revealed in parliament.

The SABC’s annual report was tabled to MPs on Wednesday and reveals that Motsoeneng’s salary has increased from R2,9m to R3,8m, according to Democratic Alliance MP Gavin Davis. The R912 000 pay rise included a bonus of R279 000.

“This near R1m pay increase is incomprehensible given the ongoing crisis at the SABC,” Davis said in a statement.

“It is significant that in 2014, the public protector found Motsoeneng guilty of unlawfully increasing his own salary three times in the space of one year. It appears that he is at it again.”

The public protector also found that Motsoeneng lied about having a matric when he applied for a job at the SABC, Davis said.

“The fact is that Motsoeneng should have been suspended and disciplined by the SABC board as directed by the public protector. Instead, Motsoeneng continues to rake in millions of rand at the expense of the TV licence-paying public.

“There can be no justification for Motsoeneng’s salary to increase by 31% in one year. In comparison, other workers in the public sector such as nurses, teachers and police officers received a 7% increase over the same period.”