Hlaudi Motsoeneng appointment ruled unlawful
The Western Cape High Court has set aside the appointment of SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng as unlawful and irrational.
Judge Denis Davis on Friday said in the judgment that whatever the reasons for Communications Minister Faith Muthambi's "obvious preference" for Motsoeneng, her decision last year to appoint him in a permanent capacity was incongruent with legality.
The Democratic Alliance approached the High Court to have the SABC COO's appointment set after the Public Protector found that Motsoeneng lied about his qualifications and increasing his salary several times in one year.
DA Member of Parliament Annelie Lotriet said they welcomed the ruling.
"We were quite confident from the beginning that this would be the case and it must also be said that it is unfortunate and sad that the DA must go to court to have government, the minister and the board follow their own processes and procedures," Lotriet said.
Motsoeneng is currently suspended after the SABC launched a disciplinary process against him.
(File photo: Gallo Images)