Zenoyise Madikwa

Zenoyise Madikwa

Barely two months after Walter Mokoena's magazine, Soccer Arena, was launched, the editor, Sandile Mchunu, has walked out.

Mokoena presents Soccer Zone on SABC1 every Monday.

Mchunu, who is the former editor of Kick Off magazine and Soccer Life, confirmed that he walked out of the diary meeting on Tuesday "because I was sick and tired of Walter".

"Yes, it is true that I left on Tuesday and I'm not willing to return. I won't even resign, and as far as I know, I am jobless," said Mchunu, who referred Sowetan to Mokoena for further comment.

The fallout happened after clashes over "editorial control and interference" by the publisher and owner - Mokoena.

Mchunu said he snapped during a diary meeting after Mokoena "out of nowhere barked orders accompanied by swear words".

"I got pissed off and walked out."

But Mokoena denied knowing about the incident.

"It has not come to my attention that he walked out. I was not there. I expect to see him in the office tomorrow."

Mchunu's cousin, Sihle Mchunu, told Sowetan yesterday that on Tuesday during a diary meeting, Mokoena went into a tirade and started insulting staff over cover lines.

"Sandile was very annoyed by Walter's behaviour that he walked out of the meeting."

Sihle added that Mokoena was very "arrogant and ungrateful".

"He likes to throw insults around and change things at the last minute. Sandile is a seasoned journalist who knew what he was doing.

"He knew what worked and what didn't. Walter has never been trained as a journalist."

Sihle added that Sandile was working as the editor, sub-editor and writer, although he was employed as the editor.

"Walter did not appreciate all this hard work. He was always on a power trip," Sihle said.

Other Soccer Arena workers are contributing editor David Kekana and Sibusiso Mazibuko, who is a feature writer.