"I have noted with concern today’s [Sunday] article titled ‘Courts won’t stop me, says SABC’s ‘born leader’ ', published in the Sunday Times newspaper,” he said in a statement.

“It is a malicious headline and carries a gross misrepresentation of facts, as it insinuates that I have no respect towards the country’s courts of law and undermine the processes thereof.

“I view this matter in a serious light and reject it with the contempt it deserves as it’s aimed at portraying me in a bad light,” he said.

“It must be emphasised that in previous interviews with various publications, and in the interview with the Sunday Times, it is on record that I have stated that I respect the South African judicial system and the Office of the Public Protector, whether the judgement is against me or not.

“This particular interview, for which electronic records were made, was conducted in the presence of a SABC group executive and the communications team, and the issues being discussed centred on my leadership role and work at the SABC and had nothing to do with the court case. In fact, questions asked around legal matters were referred to my legal advisor Mr Zola Majavu, and the point that I respect the Public Protector and our courts was continuously reiterated.

“I view this as a smear campaign by some media houses to tarnish my name and I appreciate those who are fair in their reporting,” Motsoeneng said.

The SABC on Friday instructed its lawyers to lodge an urgent appeal with the Constitutional Court against the ruling of the Supreme Court of Appeal which had ordered that Motsoeneng be suspended and face disciplinary charges.

SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago at that stage said he could not say whether the SABC was appealing only the suspension or the order confirming the Western Cape High Court ruling that disciplinary charges be brought against Motsoeneng.

“At this stage we don’t want to explain what exactly we are appealing,” he told ANA, adding that this would only be made public once lawyers had filed papers with the court.

“The instruction was given today [Friday] so I do not know whether they will still have the time today to file or whether that will happen on Monday.”

The court had given the broadcaster a fortnight to start the disciplinary process.

“We have a fourteen-day window period to do anything. So now we are in the period. He is at work today [Friday],” he said.

The lengthy legal battle over Motsoeneng began when the Democratic Alliance went to court last year to challenge the broadcaster’s failure to implement Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s directive that he face disciplinary charges for abuse of power, maladministration, and fraudulently misrepresenting his qualifications.

Instead, he was permanently appointed to the post he had previously occupied in an acting capacity.

ANA