Hlaudi Motsoeneng returned to the public broadcaster’s headquarters in Johannesburg for a fiery interview, where he categorically denounced the state capture report.
Watch: Hlaudi Motsoeneng blasts SABC News anchor in wild interview
The former SABC COO, alongside ex-group CEO Lulama Mokhobo, feature in the tail end of the fifth and final part of the report drafted by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, where it’s recommended they ought to be investigated for possibly contravening Section 38’s sub-sections 1(a) and (b) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
This relates to a 2011 deal struck by the state-owned media company with the now-defunct Gupta newspaper, The News Age. Under this agreement, which the report suggests was a total loss to the public broadcaster, the SABC spent millions on producing a breakfast show under the newspaper’s banner, where — get this — ministers and high-ranking public officials were mandated to pay a fee for an appearance.
The report also lists a deal between the SABC and Multichoice valued at R11.5 million that was allegedly spearheaded by Motsoeneng.
Well, to these claims, put forward by SABC News anchor Francis Herd, Motsoeneng scoffed, making a mockery of the mere suggestion that he played a role in the fall of the public broadcaster.
“I have done well for this SABC, and I know people of the SABC as we are speaking, they regret that I left SABC… and I pay well, neh?” he exclaimed.
The former COO also categorically denied links and endure undue influence from ex-president Jacob Zuma in the SABC’s dealings with the Gupta family.
“I have never discussed issues about the SABC with Zuma. If people don’t like Zuma they should not create stories about Zuma. Do you believe that I can listen to anyone? I only listen to myself because when I take decisions I must own up to them. That’s why I don’t run away and even at the Zondo Commission, I was swimming like fish. They could not catch me. The state capture commission has no evidence against me. I’m here, I’m not running away. I’m still saying even today, that the SABC should not report violence,” he stressed.
Here is the full interview, where Motsoeneng launches a scathing attack on Herd, Chief Justice Zondo, the SABC and the state capture report.
