Former SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng will have to pay back R11.5-million paid to him by the SABC.
This after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed with costs an application brought by Motsoeneng to appeal the order of the High Court declaring the decision of the then SABC board to pay him R11.5-million as unlawful and invalid.
The order, which was granted on Monday, also declined to grant condonation to Motsoeneng for the lapsed special leave to appeal.
SIU to start process to recoup the money
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) welcomed the order. It stated that the original order stands and paves the way for the SIU to continue with the processes to recover the money.
The money was paid to Motsoeneng, who was at the time, the public broadcaster’s Chief Operating Officer. The amount was paid by the previous SABC board under questionable circumstances for negotiating a deal with MultiChoice for broadcast rights‚ including access to the SABC archives.
In its judgment of December 2021, the Joburg High Court ordered Motsoeneng to pay the amount he received as “a success fee amount to R11,508 549.12” within seven days of the court order. [It was to be paid] with an interest rate of 15.5% per annum calculated from September 13, 2016”.
In February 2018, the SIU and the SABC jointly issued summons against Motsoeneng in the
High Court, Gauteng Local Division. The summons were issued to recover the success fee.
High Court had set aside the board’s decision
In December 2021, the High Court reviewed and set aside the former board’s decision. It found that the decision was unlawful and invalid. Motsoeneng was ordered to repay the R11.5-million with interest.
THe former SABC boss then applied for leave to appeal. On January 19 2023, the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed with costs an application brought by Motsoeneng. The dismissed order was to appeal the order of the High Court of SA: Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg.
If he pays t back, am going to resume paying my TV license. Please advice me as soon as the payment is done
You safe, i dont expect him paying it back ,next move would be insolvent
Not a chance that he would pay. He would plead bankrupt and offer to repay by R100 per month.
Sell all his possessions. This corruption is why I refuse to pay TV license.