The South African Broadcasting Corporation (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, so says the African National Congress (ANC).

The comments by the party’s national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa come after reports that the SABC board has written a letter to Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi asking that she appoints former chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng as the acting COO until December 2016.

On Monday the Supreme Court of Appeals 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 SOEs, government departments and agencies would implement court rulings.

“This is an opportunity for the SABC to close the chapter and on-going saga around the qualifications and appointment of Mr Motsoeneng,” said Kodwa.

Political party, the Democratic Alliance, has indicated it would 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.

He said the ANC expected the public broadcaster to respect the ruling and implement it speedily.

“The SCA ruling against SABC’s Mr 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.