SABC boss should be sacked – experts

For SABC Chief Operating Officer (COO) Chris Maroleng, being found guilty of serious charges including gross negligence and breach of fiduciary duty is enough to warrant an immediate dismissal, according to labour law experts.

This comes after the financially constrained public broadcaster, still struggling to recover from years of mismanagement, confirmed yesterday that a disciplinary hearing was for Maroleng.

The hearing started late last year and recently found him guilty on three charges, including gross negligence and breaching fiduciary duty.

According to reports, he allegedly approved a monthly acting allowance of R15 000 for an employee despite a human resources decision against it, among other charges.

Maroleng allegedly also protected former acting group executive for sport Marcia Mahlalela, who resigned before facing a disciplinary hearing. Experts said under normal circumstances, this would lead to an immediate dismissal.

However, the SABC is still waiting for sanctions to be recommended by an independent disciplinary chairperson.

SABC spokesperson Vuyo Mthembu said “the recommendations of the disciplinary hearing will be handed over to the new board as, according to the SABC’s memorandum of incorporation, the board appoints, disciplines and dismisses executive directors. The SABC will not discuss the details of the disciplinary hearing and has no further comment on this matter at this stage.”

Labour law expert Ian Levitt said on the grounds of what the COO was found guilty of, Maroleng should be dismissed if he did not have the courage to resign.

He said: “It is not a [random] thing happening at a corner stall. This affects the whole country because these are serious cases of misconduct. He should be dismissed immediately. Any delay would be to the discredit of not only the country but the SABC.”

Fellow labour law expert June Marks advised that moving forward, the SABC should set up well-planned timeframes to deal with the representations from themselves, the public broadcaster and Maroleng responsibly.

Attempts to reach Maroleng for comment were unsuccessful.

– jenniffero@citizen.co.za

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.