The bid to have the appointment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC's) chief operations officer (COO) set aside will be heard in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday.
The broadcaster announced in July 2014 that Motsoeneng would be permanently appointed to the post of COO. This was despite a recommendation by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela that he be suspended pending a disciplinary inquiry.
Madonsela found that he lied about having a matric certificate, and that his appointment as acting COO, and his salary hike from R1.5-million to R2.4-million in one year, were irregular.
Last year, the Democratic Alliance approached the Western Cape High Court for an order in two parts. The first was to have Motsoeneng suspended and a disciplinary inquiry held. The second was to have his appointment as COO set aside.
The court granted the first part of the order. It would deal with the second part on Tuesday.
Motsoeneng, the SABC, and Communications Minister Faith Muthambi approached the Supreme Court of Appeal to dispute the high court’s first order.
Last week, the SCA dismissed their appeal. The SABC however did not suspend Motsoeneng. Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said they would first study the SCA’s ruling.