A RULING in the long-running disciplinary hearing against suspended SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng will be handed down on Saturday.
Closing arguments of Mr Motsoeneng’s disciplinary hearing were heard on Friday.
Lead prosecutor Tumisho Phalane pushing for dismissal in the event of a guilty verdict, charging that testimony from prosecution witnesses had amply demonstrated gross misconduct.
Mr Motsoeneng’s lawyer, Zola Majavu, used his closing arguments to pick at the prosecutions case, again strongly emphasising the testimony of the defence’s only witness, Alywn Kloppers, who had maintained there had been no attempts to mislead the broadcaster.
The SABC has charged Mr Motsoeneng with gross dishonesty, gross misconduct and abuse of power. The charges relate to his alleged lying about his matric qualification, unilaterally increasing salaries and creating a new position for a staff member.
These charges were laid in October after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled the state broadcaster must suspend him and institute disciplinary action.
Lead prosecutor Tumisho Phalane, on Friday submitted that the evidence from witnesses demonstrated Mr Motsoeneng has misled the broadcaster regarding his qualifications.
Dismissal for gross misconduct in this case would be reasonable, and the incident had permanently damaged the trust relationship between employer and employee, said Mr Phalane.
In 1995, the SABC employed Mr Motsoeneng under a directive from management to transform the broadcaster to better reflect national demographics.
Mr Majavu however said Mr Kloppers had no reason to lie, had been instrumental in Mr Motsoeneng’s appointment and was credible in his assertion that the accused had consistently been up front about his lack of qualifications.
"It cannot be for the SABC to come and say it was lied to, (Mr Kloppers) was directly influential in (Mr Motsoeneng’s) employment, he drove it to the point of overcoming all forms of resistance," said Mr Majavu.
Mr Majavu also said Mr Motsoeneng had been denied a swift disciplinary procedure, despite intense public scrutiny and aspersions to his character.
"There must be an impression (in terms of the ruling) of the trauma that my client has been subjected to — he has been presented as a slimy character … but he has always been willing and able to face his accusers," Mr Majavu said.
Hearing chairman advocate Willem Edeling is expected to hand down judgement at mid-day on Saturday.
SABC employee Hlaudi Motsoeneng takes a call during his hearing in Sandton. Picture: FREDDY MAVUNDA
A RULING in the long-running disciplinary hearing against suspended SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng will be handed down on Saturday.
Closing arguments of Mr Motsoeneng’s disciplinary hearing were heard on Friday.
Lead prosecutor Tumisho Phalane pushing for dismissal in the event of a guilty verdict, charging that testimony from prosecution witnesses had amply demonstrated gross misconduct.
Mr Motsoeneng’s lawyer, Zola Majavu, used his closing arguments to pick at the prosecutions case, again strongly emphasising the testimony of the defence’s only witness, Alywn Kloppers, who had maintained there had been no attempts to mislead the broadcaster.
The SABC has charged Mr Motsoeneng with gross dishonesty, gross misconduct and abuse of power. The charges relate to his alleged lying about his matric qualification, unilaterally increasing salaries and creating a new position for a staff member.
These charges were laid in October after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled the state broadcaster must suspend him and institute disciplinary action.
Lead prosecutor Tumisho Phalane, on Friday submitted that the evidence from witnesses demonstrated Mr Motsoeneng has misled the broadcaster regarding his qualifications.
Dismissal for gross misconduct in this case would be reasonable, and the incident had permanently damaged the trust relationship between employer and employee, said Mr Phalane.
In 1995, the SABC employed Mr Motsoeneng under a directive from management to transform the broadcaster to better reflect national demographics.
Mr Majavu however said Mr Kloppers had no reason to lie, had been instrumental in Mr Motsoeneng’s appointment and was credible in his assertion that the accused had consistently been up front about his lack of qualifications.
"It cannot be for the SABC to come and say it was lied to, (Mr Kloppers) was directly influential in (Mr Motsoeneng’s) employment, he drove it to the point of overcoming all forms of resistance," said Mr Majavu.
Mr Majavu also said Mr Motsoeneng had been denied a swift disciplinary procedure, despite intense public scrutiny and aspersions to his character.
"There must be an impression (in terms of the ruling) of the trauma that my client has been subjected to — he has been presented as a slimy character … but he has always been willing and able to face his accusers," Mr Majavu said.
Hearing chairman advocate Willem Edeling is expected to hand down judgement at mid-day on Saturday.
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