METRO FM's Breakfast Show host Kenny Maistry was fuming after being fired yesterday.

An angry Maistry said the early termination of his contract was racially motivated as there were some people at the SABC who felt that an "Indian" should not host the breakfast show.

"I see myself as a black person of Indian origin and paid my dues during the Struggle, yet there are those racists in our society who still see me as an Indian instead of a South African."

The station announced a full list of its new line-up yesterday, dumping Maistry from the breakfast show, and the veteran DJ has not been given another slot. He has been replaced by the afternoon drive hosts Glen Lewis and Unathi Msengana. Lewis and Msengana's show has been taken over by the versatile T-Bo Touch.

Maistry had a three-year contract that was to expire in March 2012.

He added that he was very disappointed as he was assured by the previous station manager, Matona Sakupwanya, and SABC HR manager Mannie Alho that his race was not an issue. He would be allowed to complete his contract as long as he delivered on his Key Performance Area.

He said he would fight for what he should rightfully get.

"Those individuals that are responsible for this reckless business decision should be made to account for their actions as the SABC is funded by our taxes. The Special Investigations Unit should include my case as part of their investigations into the SABC. Nepotism and corruption needs to be stamped out of the public broadcaster now."

SABC spokesperson Kaiser Kganyago said Maistry "was not fired".

"Changing the line-up meant some people had to go, including him. To say a person has a contract does not mean we cannot announce a new line-up. We cannot divulge what is happening. It's between employee and employer."