The SABC has fired DJ Fresh for swearing on air.
The public broadcaster on Tuesday announced the termination of Thato ‘DJ Fresh’ Sikwane’s contract with immediate effect after he refused to apologise.
“The termination follows unsuccessful engagements between SABC Radio Management and Mr. Thato Sikwane, subsequent to his usage of offensive language on-air, resulting in the SABC being found guilty and sanctioned by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) for contravention of clause 6 of the BCCSA’s Code of Conduct and in addition his conduct brought the SABC into disrepute,” said SABC spokesperson, Vuyo Mthembu.
Mthembu said Fresh was afforded an opportunity to remedy his contractual breaches, which he failed and refused to do.
Mthembu said in a letter dated 28 June 2019 that Fresh’s lawyers further stated: “It is our client’s instruction that he must either return to work immediately, alternatively, that upon his commencement on the 15th of July 2019, it must be emphatically understood that no apology will be tendered.”
It is not yet clear who will be taking over Fresh’s breakfast beat.
Group Executive: Radio, Nada Wotshela, said: “The SABC will communicate in due course who will take over Metro FM’s breakfast show, and we are grateful to the team who have held the fort during this period.”
This is the Official statement on the termination of contract between Mr Thato “DJ Fresh” Sikwane and The SABC. We wish him well in his future endeavors. pic.twitter.com/MyNSuKgp7Q
— METROFM SABC (@METROFMSA) July 9, 2019
Fresh was taken of air last month after he told a listener “msunery”, which is isiZulu slang for “your ass”.
In a separate incident he allegedly told another listener to “stop tweeting from his ar**”.
African News Agency