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Johannesburg - Former SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng is a fan of Supreme Court of Appeal Judge Dennis Davis; the man responsible for dismissing his application for leave to appeal against a ruling to set aside his appointment.
"I am happy especially about the judgement. I like Judge Davis. When I was there he was cracking jokes but some of the jokes he was punching me, I could feel in my gut, but I was happy because he did justice."
Motsoeneng said Davis posed questions to the law professionals present at the hearing that none could respond to.
"One of the questions he asked which no one was able to answer; he said Hlaudi was cleared after the effects. I went to read that judgement and I agreed with him."
Dressed in a navy suit and a hat to match, Motsoeneng beamed as he spoke of his happiness at being back in his old position on Tuesday.
Motsoeneng claimed that the media used his name to sell "newspapers".
'Ordinary employee'
"I am also aware that I am selling newspapers. You run with Hlaudi your newspapers, before 10:00, they are gone because Hlaudi is a brand. You go to social media Hlaudi is trending, number one, number two, number three. I am making money for you."
Motsoeneng was re-appointed as the general executive of corporate affairs at the broadcaster.
This comes after his application for leave to appeal against a ruling to set aside his appointment as the COO at the public broadcaster was dismissed by Davis.
Following the SCA ruling Motsoeneng reported for duty at the public broadcaster as an "ordinary employee".
"He tended to his services this morning," his lawyer Zola Majavu told News24 at the time.
The Public Protector found in a report released in February 2014 that Motsoeneng lied about his qualifications when he applied for the post of COO, that he hiked his salary from R1.5m to R2.4m in one year and purged senior staff.
Cleared of charges
Despite these adverse findings Communications Minister Faith Muthambi confirmed his permanent appointment by the board.
In November 2015 the Western Cape High Court found Motsoeneng's appointment was irrational and unlawful and set it aside. The DA brought the application.
The DA got a court order forcing the SABC to hold a disciplinary hearing against him, but he was cleared of the charges in December 2015.
On May 23 this year Judge Dennis Davis dismissed his application for leave to appeal. Motsoeneng then approached the SCA.
