The Gauteng High Court has ordered three former SABC board members to repay R11.5 million after approving an unlawful payment to ex-SABC Chief Operating Officer, Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
The court ordered Mbulaheni Obert Maguvhe, Ndivhoniswani Aaron Tshidzumba, and Maleshane Audrey Raphela to jointly repay the funds with interest.
It also ruled that they must cover the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) legal costs.
FORMER SABC BOARD MEMBERS’ UNLAWFUL PAYMENT TO HLAUDI MOTSOENENG
The trio authorised an R11.5 million “success fee” for Motsoeneng after he secured a 2016 deal with MultiChoice.
The court has since declared the decision unlawful and invalid.
COURT SHIFTS ACCOUNTABILITY FROM MOTSOENENG TO THE BOARD
Initially, Motsoeneng was expected to repay the money alone.
However, the court found that the real accountability lies with those who approved the payout, not only the recipient.
SIU WELCOMES RULING ON UNLAWFUL PAYMENT AND PURSUES FURTHER RECOVERY
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago called the ruling a victory for accountability.
He confirmed that the organisation remains determined to recover all public funds and refer any criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority.
