Faking it, raking in
R1.7m salary for no matric SABC boss
ODD: Hlaudi Motsoeneng (left) stepped into the post vacated by Solly Mokoetle (right) in 2006. Picture by Martin Rhodes
HANDLING IT: SABC staffers have laid a complaint with Thuli Madonsela. Picture by Russell RobertsSABC "strongman" Hlaudi Motsoeneng is the man behind all SABC's operations - yet he can't even produce a matric certificate.
And though he allegedly earns in the region of R2m a year, he is not even computer literate.
In 2002, an investigation by Deloitte & Touche described Motsoeneng as "semi literate journalist" and recommended that he be removed as senior specialist producer.
This is the man, SABC insiders insist, calls the shots and is the broadcaster's de facto CEO.
As news emerged this week of how angry SABC staffers have lodged a complaint with the Public Protector (Thuli Madonsela) against the 43-year-old Motsoeneng, many South Africans began to wonder how exactly Motsoeneng landed the job as SABC acting COO when he didn't even have a matric qualification.
The complaint lodged with Madonsela's office gives a glimpse of Motsoeneng's SABC history.
"Mr Hlaudi Motsoeneng had previously indicated he had a matric certificate," the affidavit reads.
"This is evident from the communication he had initially with the then HR officer for Bloemfontein, Ms Marie Swanepoel, when he first joined the SABC.
"Subsequent requests by Helena Botes insisting that he must produce the certificate resulted in a revolt in the Bloemfontein office."
The human resources manager, Paul Tati, apparently later gave him an ultimatum to submit the certificate or face disciplinary action.
"Over and above this Mr Tati wrote to Mr Motsoeneng indicating that he was still waiting for his certificate and that his failure to produce one would result in his standing in the organisation being jeopardised."
In response, Motsoeneng allegedly wrote to Tati suggesting that he was still searching for the certificate but he has of late said that he never claimed he had a matric.
However, piles of documents in Sunday World's possession and various other sources show that Motsoeneng did originally claim to have a matric when he was first employed by the SABC in 1995.
In that year Motsoeneng filled in a form which he stated that he had done his matric in 1991 at Metsi Matsho High School.
He also filled in a form in which he listed five matric subjects that he claimed to have done in 1991 in fulfilment of the requirements for a matric pass. Motsoeneng's copy of his matric certificate was obviously fraudulent as matric can only be passed with a minimum of six subjects.
"The above evidence," according to the complaint, " is in stark contrast to the views expressed by Mr Motsoeneng, members of the board and Minister of Communications Ms Dina Pule that he never pretended that he had a matric."
Motsoeneng's CV also claims he was communications boss in the Northern Cape office of MEC of Economic Affairs. SABC staffers say this claim "suggests that the matric certificate incident is not the only one in his history of misrepresenting his qualifications".
dlaminimd@sundayworld.co.za
Comments
NOMMY
come visit limpopo you will find many of these.senior managers without qualifications,akere connections is a qualification this dayskudi
"@NOMMYyes you are right - connection is the right qualification - Zuma's government will end up introducing it as qualification where you have to sit for exams
act101
He was the only candidate who "applied" for the job at SABC.No skills or qualifications verification or background checks needed. Cant blame the guy, it happens all the time , not long ago some foreign doc with fake degrees was registered with HPCSA and practising as neurology surgeon. Someone is also benefitting from his salary.The gravy train is taking off to banana republic.Kgaoza606
CONNECTIONS is qualifications these days, WOW...I like that, and that's very sad as this is a true reflection of our government, whether in Mpumalanga,limpopo, Gauteng, etc.It's craze coz what these guys are just LOUD MOUTHS who just keep attending fruitless meetings flying in planes, sleeping in expensive hotels and claiming LARGE travell allowances that don't even make sense...
The situation is so out of control that Rhythm City on e.tv has even started exposing such behaviors in our government with Fats current role as local councillor who run for a position in governmant for the mere intention of lying to the people to enrich themselves, exactly what is really happening....
lizie
and i have good matric(Marit endorsement ) + a diploma frm d university of technology DUT but guess wt im unemployed been attending interviews in al da gvt dept. u cn think of just for an internsnxa i hate politics man- atleast during National Party era one wld b sure gt gt a job specially if u ar qualified hayi lombhedo we ANC
limosiney
connections at government dept is very high. people are working without matric. government is a rubbishmozwenyana
Can I please be placed on his position as soon as he gets off?:-)
Qtee!!
dz is south africa,everything is out of da way!!!if u wanna reach at the top''have connection as qualifications''thingz di a etsiwa mo msanzi bafwethuRead all 8 comments