The Johannesburg High Court on Friday dismissed a procedural application within an urgent application filed by the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) head of legal services, Mafika Sihlali, against the broadcaster.
Sihlali was taking the SABC to court in a desperate effort to save his career.
Friday marked the SABC deadline for Sihlali to defend himself against allegations of fraud to the amount of R1,8-million.
He was trying to convince the court that he should not be suspended and that he needs more time to tell his bosses why.
The broadcaster reported that Judge Lamont upheld an earlier ruling stating that documents requested by Sihlali were not relevant.
The fraud allegations stem from an internal SABC audit report handed to group CEO Dali Mpofu, which recommended Sihlali be suspended and criminally charged, SABC news reported.
Three weeks ago, the Mail & Guardian was to reveal details of the damning forensic report, compiled by the SABC’s internal audit department and audit firm Nexus Forensic Services.
The report was handed to group executive Dali Mpofu, board chairperson Eddie Funde and other senior managers. It recommended that Sihlali be suspended and criminally charged.
But Sihlali obtained an interim gag order, preventing the M&G from reporting on the forensic report. Judge Ferdi Preller last week overturned this order, saying it was in the public interest to know how taxpayers’ money was being spent at the SABC. — Sapa