Former South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) COO, Hlaudi Motsoeneng, has been ordered to repay R 11. 5 million success payment made to him by the previous SABC Board within seven days.
He has also been instructed to pay 15.5% interest dating back to 2016.
This comes after the South Gauteng High Court declared the payment made to Motsoeneng unlawful and invalid.
The SABC and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) approached the court to review and set aside a decision by the former SABC Board to pay Motsoeneng, and to recover financial losses of monies to the tune of R 11.5 million.
The R11.5 million paid by SABC to its former COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng as a success fee, has been declared unlawful and invalid by the High Court. Motsoeneng is ordered to repay the money within 7 days plus 15.5% interest, dating back to September 2016. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/Uc8CGDICCl
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) December 17, 2021
SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago says, “The Court action was informed by the SIU investigation in the affairs of the SABC, which revealed that the SABC irregularly paid monies to individuals and entered into contracts to the detriment of the public broadcaster.”
“The SIU was, in terms of Proclamation R29 of 2017, directed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration, malpractice and payments made by the SABC together with the conducts of its employees. Where required, the SIU was authorised to institute civil proceedings, refer evidence to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution in line with SIU Act 74 of 1996,” Kganyago adds.
SIU Head, Andy Mothibi and SABC Group CEO, Madoda Mxakwe have welcomed judgment saying this is a continuation of SIU investigations to recover monies lost by the SABC.
Mothibi says, “This is a continuation of implementation of the SIU investigations outcomes and consequence management to recover monies lost by the SABC. There are other cases enrolled in the High Court and in the Special Tribunal awaiting adjudication and will result in further recoveries for the SABC.”
Mxakwe says, “‘This judgment bears testimony to the SABC’s commitment to addressing corporate governance failures of the past, whilst ensuring monies due to the Corporation are recovered. We are confident that this judgment demonstrates progress in the SABC’s turnaround journey.”
Below is the judgement:
