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SABC talks ‘Number One’ and ‘Number Two’

Cape Town –  In a surreal on-air interview on Thursday, viewers watching the SABC would have been forgiven for thinking they’ve tuned in to a scatological discussion using just the code words “Number One” and “Number Two” – although the SABC was actually referring to president Jacob Zuma and the SABC’s matricless acting chief operating officer (COO) Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
 
On the SABC's 24-hour TV news channel, SABC News (DStv 404), both the interviewer and guest talked in code on Thursday which made for a surreal viewing and listening experience.
 
Zola Majavu appeared on SABC News' Question Time and spoke to Mpho Tsedu about the often buzzed-about relationship and "direct line" between Jacob Zuma  who is the "first citizen" and called "Number One" by security forces and Motsoeneng who've risen to occupy the Number Two” and second highest executive spot at the SABC.
 
Majavu is Motsoeneng’s lawyer. The beleaguered acting COO, described as a “semi-illiterate corrupt liar” is mired with controversy and scandal following a damning report into the SABC and Motsoeneng by South Africa's Public Protector.

The Public Protector's report released on Monday found that Motsoeneng who gets a R2.4m salary, lied about his qualifications and is implicated in maladministration, abuse of power, fraud, and irregular hirings and firings of SABC staff.
 
‘The man ascended to Number Two through different SABC boards’

The Public Protector's report says that Hlaudi Motsoeneng "should never have been appointed at the SABC". Thuli Madonsela also said that it is worrying that Motsoeneng's personnel file disappeared. The Public Protector recommended that Motsoeneng urgently be replaced by someone qualified.
 
"Whether he has a direct line to Number One I wouldn't know, but I cannot imagine that his personal relationship with Number One is such that it supplants due process and procedures,” said Majavu.
 
“Remember this man ascended from being an announcer to being Number Two through different SABC boards, different CEOs. And to date he still occupies the position that he occupies," said Majavu.

"It would be a sad day if people are scared to touch him when he has broken the law simply because of his connections. I do not believe in all fairness to him and to Number One that can be correct," said Majavu.

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