Former SABC executive Hlaudi Motsoeneng has launched a scathing attack on Special Investigating Unit (SIU) head Andy Mothibi, accusing him of lying to parliament about allegations that he unlawfully received R11.5-million (now R18-million with interest) from the public broadcaster.
In an interview with Sunday World, Motsoeneng vehemently denied the SIU’s claims, insisting he was never formally interviewed by the unit or notified about its investigation.
Motsoeneng defended the payments, stating they were legitimate compensation for his work. “I never forced the SABC to pay me the money. I did my job by assisting the broadcaster to make money, and I was paid for that, so I don’t understand why I am being forced to pay back the money that was paid to me lawfully.
“This is nonsense, and Andy is completely out of order for lying to the parliament about me. First of all, I was never interviewed by the SIU, and it is disingenuous for him to go and lie to parliament.
“I have a very strong case, as the SABC and SIU are unable to dispute the matter regarding the payment I received from the public broadcaster. The reason why Mothibi is boiling inside is that the issues we have put in our court papers are giving them a headache.
“Mothibi and his people are failing to prove the fact that I have abused any court processes. This Mothibi guy is having challenges proving anything that has to do with my payment.
“Mothibi lied to the parliament, and he should know that I would go all the way to the highest court if I feel that I am being prejudiced for nonsense,” said Motsoeneng.
Is Motsoeneng abusing the legal process by appealing against a ConCourt decision ordering him to pay back money to the entity? Mothibi told Parliament he firmly believed this was the case.
Mothibi said the SIU believed Motsoeneng was abusing legal processes by going to courts to fight against the SABC and the SIU. Mothibi briefed the Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts on the SIU’s investigations into the SABC on Wednesday.
According to the SIU, Motsoeneng brought an urgent interdict to stop the SIU and SABC’s execution and attachment of his assets.
Motsoeneng said that he never stole any money from the SABC and stated that Mothibi was hallucinating to say that he was paid by the broadcaster.
“That money that was paid to me was done so legally, and I must state that the same money that was paid to me was raised by me.
“No money from the public purse came to me. I have no case to answer for here, and that Mothibi guy is clutching at straws, and he is boiling unnecessarily.
“He must not come and lie to the parliament, as the SIU never interviewed me.
“He doesn’t know what he is doing, and he should not come and lie about me,” said a frustrated Motsoeneng. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said Mothibi simply presented “the facts as they are, based on the SIU investigation.”
