The appointment of a man who lied about his academic qualification as chief operating officer of the state broadcaster is raising a political storm in South Africa.
The man hit the headlines last week when he posed next to a bare-breasted student given to him as a wife by traditional leaders of the Venda tribe.
The South African Communist Party, which is in the ruling alliance with the African National Congress, expressed concern at the appointment of Hlaudi Motsoeneng as chief operating officer of the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
Ombudsman Thuli Madonesela says she’s surprised Motsoeneng’s been given the job.
She investigated him when he was still operating in an acting capacity and found he’d lied about his high school diploma.
She says she’s still waiting for the disciplinary action the SABC promised to take.
Motsoeneng, who’s salary has doubled this past year to 200 000 euros, was pictured last week with a bare-breasted 22-year old he selected from ten offered to him by Venda chiefs as a wife.
In addition to the young woman he was given a cow.
South Africa’s Women’s Ministry’s condemned handing women as gifts as though they are livestock.
A complaint about the incident has been lodged with the Commission on Gender Equality.