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The appointment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as permanent Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the SABC is a dark day for democracy.

Mr Motsoeneng has been given a renewed mandate to continue his reign of terror at the public broadcaster. We can expect more surveillance and purging of SABC staff, more clampdowns on editorial independence and more “happy news” that reflects positively on the governing party.

When the Public Protector concluded that Mr Motsoeneng had lied about having matric and and given himself irregular salary increases while Acting COO, she recommended the appointment of a new COO within 90 days. It is unlikely that this is the appointment she had in mind.

Mr Motsoeneng should have been suspended and disciplined following the Public Protector’s report, not promoted. And yet Mr Motsoeneng’s career continues to flourish. Just last week, the Chairperson of the SABC Board told the Portfolio Committee that there is “no basis” upon which to suspend him.

Mr Motsoeneng has earned a reputation as a Goebbels-like figure at the centre of President Zuma’s propaganda machine. This appointment will only increase perceptions that he remains at the SABC because his usefulness to the ANC trumps all other considerations.

The DA will continue to fight for media freedom and independent public broadcasting. We have requested our lawyers to assess whether the appointment is reviewable in light of the findings and recommendations contained in the Public Protector’s report.