Former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng received a salary increase – of almost half a million rand – from R3,784,000 to R4,197,000 during the 2015/16 financial year, making him the highest paid executive at the SABC.
It comes despite the public broadcaster posting a net loss of R411 million for the financial year, and calls for the SABC to sack Motsoeneng, from bot h the ANC, and cabinet.
The Democratic Alliance said it will request that an investigation into why and how Motsoeneng’s salary was increased by included in the anticipated parliamentary inquiry into the SABC.
According to the SABC’s annual report published on Thursday, in his capacity at COO, Motsoeneng was the highest paid executive at the SABC during the 2015/16 financial year, even more than the CEO.
“This lends credence to the suspicion that Motsoeneng served as de facto CEO of the public broadcaster,” the DA said.
The annual report reveals that Motsoeneng was paid as follows:
- Basic Salary: R2,555,000
- 13th cheque and other commissions: R213,000
- Expenses and other allowances: R945,000
- Contributions to pension fund, medical aid: R485,000
- Total remuneration for the 2015/16 financial year: R4,197,000
The Supreme Court of Appeal last week dismissed Motsoeneng’s application for leave to appeal a High Court in Cape Town ruling, which set aside his permanent appointment as COO.
On Tuesday, SABC board chairperson Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe said that Motsoeneng will remain an employee at the public broadcaster.
“Mr Motsoeneng is still an employee. He would be going back to the position he held which is GE corporate affairs, and that is his previous position.”
Motsoeneng went even further at press briefing by saying he would reapply to be COO of the public broadcaster when the opportunity arises – and in the meantime he will serve in his previous role as group executive of corporate affairs. “It is a given that I will apply. And I am qualified,” he said.
