Minister of Communications Faith Muthambi and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela have agreed on a way forward in addressing the investigation into the alleged irregular appointment of the SABC Chief Operations Officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

The two met on Wednesday to discuss the matter. This follows the subpoena served to the Minister on 7 August 2014, calling upon her to appear before the Public Protector on 26 August 2014 in connection with the investigation.

The Public Protector in February had recommended that the then acting Motsoeneng be removed from his acting post after he misrepresented his matric qualifications. 

However, the acting COO was appointed permanently to the post by Muthambi last month, sparking debate around the appointment. Muthambi maintained that Motsoeneng had been cleared of all wrongdoing by a legal firm before the decision was made.

The Democratic Alliance then took the appointment to the Western Cape High Court.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, both the Minister and the Public Protector agreed on a way forward in addressing the matter as well as other issues of mutual concern.

“They acknowledged the fact that the matter under investigation is also under judicial scrutiny in the Western Cape Division of the High Court.”

They also committed their respective offices to work in a spirit of cooperative governance in line with the provisions of Chapter 3 of the Constitution.

“The meeting was cordial, fruitful and informative on the mandate of the Public Protector vis-à-vis the role and functions of the Minister and her Department with regard to the investigation.”