SABC Boss Under Probe For Taking 22-Year-Old 'Wife As Gift’

The acting chief operations officer of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Hlaudi Motsoeneng is under probe for allegedly accepting a 22-year-old lady who was given to him as wife.

According to local media, Motsoeneng was given the young woman, along with a cow and a calf, by a lobby group of traditional leaders in Thohoyandou, in Limpopo province.

The group are alleged to be seeking greater exposure of their culture.

It was gathered that a newspaper based in Soweto had reported last week that about 10 half-naked women were lined up and Motsoeneng was asked to pick one.

* Hlaudi Motsoeneng

Sources stated that the media boss picked a human resources management student named Vanessa Mutswari.

Vanessa is pictured above bare-breasted next to Motsoeneng, standing behind a trailer on which the other gifts, a cow and a calf had been loaded.

Reports informed that she's so happy to be given out as a gift.

* 22-year-old Vanessa

When the photos of the event were published, the SABC boss came under attack with people describing the offer of a "wife" as "barbaric".

South African women’s groups have protested against the act, asking Motsoeneng to be investigated and the girl immediately returned to her family.

* Motsoeneng and Vannesa (circled)

"The use of women as gifts as if they were livestock is a serious regress and an insult to the gains of 20 years of democracy and freedom, particularly the contribution of women,” women’s ministry spokeswoman Kenosi Machepa said.

Gender commission spokesman Baloyi said an investigation has been launched and the girl's family contacted.

As at the time of compiling this report, Motsoeneng has not responded publicly to the allegations.
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