Johannesburg - Ex-SABC executives are in hot water! The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a major victory, with a court ordering three former South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) bigwigs to cough up over R11.5 million. This hefty sum represents unlawful “success payments” that were dished out to the controversial Hlaudi Motsoeneng almost a decade ago.
Judge Allyson Crutchfield of the Johannesburg High Court delivered the ruling last week, holding Mbulaheni Obert Maguvhe, Ndivhoniswani Aaron Tshidzumba, and Maleshane Audrey Raphela jointly liable for the amount. With interest factored in, the total bill balloons to a staggering R18 million!
This landmark decision comes after Motsoeneng's final appeal was rejected by the Constitutional Court, slamming the door shut on his attempts to evade payment. The case has thrown a spotlight on past malfeasance at the public broadcaster, where questionable payouts were made without proper oversight, ultimately draining public coffers.
Unpacking the Unlawful Payments
The SIU investigation revealed that in September 2016, the three executives greenlit “success payments” to Motsoeneng, who was then serving as the chief operating officer. These payments were purportedly justified by his alleged success in generating over R1 billion in revenue for the SABC.
However, the SIU deemed the payout unlawful and pursued legal action against Motsoeneng to recover the funds. He fought tooth and nail, taking the case all the way to the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court, but to no avail. Both courts dismissed his appeals, leaving him on the hook for the substantial debt.
A Victory for Accountability
This ruling is a significant win for the SIU's ongoing efforts to recover funds lost through corrupt dealings and mismanagement at state-owned entities. As South Africans continue to grapple with the aftermath of state capture, this decision sends a powerful message about holding leaders accountable and reclaiming stolen assets.
What's Next?
- The ex-executives are now legally obligated to repay the R18 million.
- The SIU will continue its investigations into other instances of corruption at the SABC.
- This case sets a precedent for holding individuals accountable for financial misconduct within state institutions.