Zenoyise Madikwa
Zenoyise Madikwa
When DJ Mpilo Ndlaleni's contract expired on January 10, his bosses at Umhlobo Wonene said he could continue with his midnight slot. Although contract negotiations had not started, he thought that would be sorted out.
But six days later the SABC yanked him off air - a suspension he now says is unfair. On January 15, Ndlaleni left the studio briefly to move his car. He asked a colleague - a female security guard - to say something on air once the song that was playing had stopped. She did just that and Ndlaleni was back.
But the following day, the station said it was flooded with complaints from listeners who said it was unacceptable that he let his "girlfriend" speak on air.
The married DJ admits that he let his colleague speak, but he is adamant she is not his girlfriend. "I went out to move my car. I asked her to say something when the song ended. She did in Sesotho. I saw nothing wrong with that because we allow people to do that all the time."
He said his boss, Phumzile Mci, called the following day. "He said there was a problem and that I should not report for work. I haven't heard from him since."
Station spokesman Zolani Bonco confirmed that Ndlaleni was not on air.
Suspended DJ wants answers
Zenoyise Madikwa
Zenoyise Madikwa
When DJ Mpilo Ndlaleni's contract expired on January 10, his bosses at Umhlobo Wonene said he could continue with his midnight slot. Although contract negotiations had not started, he thought that would be sorted out.
But six days later the SABC yanked him off air - a suspension he now says is unfair. On January 15, Ndlaleni left the studio briefly to move his car. He asked a colleague - a female security guard - to say something on air once the song that was playing had stopped. She did just that and Ndlaleni was back.
But the following day, the station said it was flooded with complaints from listeners who said it was unacceptable that he let his "girlfriend" speak on air.
The married DJ admits that he let his colleague speak, but he is adamant she is not his girlfriend. "I went out to move my car. I asked her to say something when the song ended. She did in Sesotho. I saw nothing wrong with that because we allow people to do that all the time."
He said his boss, Phumzile Mci, called the following day. "He said there was a problem and that I should not report for work. I haven't heard from him since."
Station spokesman Zolani Bonco confirmed that Ndlaleni was not on air.