THE management of BaPhalaborwa Radio Station will have to explain to the board why the brother of station marketing manager Tshitshi Rikhotso was awarded contracts worth R21000 ahead of more deserving companies last year.

The contracts were for the printing of T-shirts, banners and brand mugs for the station for 2008 and 2009.

The station management, the board and disgruntled staff members are expected to hold an urgent meeting today to discuss the matter .

The station has been criticised after being rocked by allegations of nepotism, favouritism and tribalism.

Sowetan published a report last week highlighting the complaints of presenters who threatened to close the station down.

Shortly after publication of the report programmes manager Donald Shingange and Rikhotso were suspended by the board.

Shingange was suspended for allegedly working in cahoots with Rikhotso to award contracts to her brother in what the board viewed as a move to defraud the station.

The suspensions were confirmed by board chairperson Mercy Mohale.

Soon after his suspension, Shingange handed in his resignation to the board.

"The meeting is aimed at building the station and preaching peace between the presenters and management and members of the community whom we serve," station manager Ernest Ngobeni said yesterday.

Ngobeni admitted that the station was currently faced with problems linked to human relations, discipline and professionalism.