SABC breaks silence on KG Moeketsi’s SAfm dismissal

The SABC has confirmed the termination of veteran broadcaster Kgomotso “KG” Moeketsi’s contract, saying the decision followed an internal process, after she accused the broadcaster of an “unfair” dismissal from SAfm and called for accountability.

Moeketsi, who hosted SAfm’s weekend jazz show Seasons, joined the station in April 2020.

Having previously worked at the now-defunct Radio BOP, Kaya FM and Gagasi FM, she said she is not asking for her job back.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, she said her contract was terminated on July 15, following an internal investigation led by the station’s new programme manager, Ferdinand Mabalane.

She said she had remained largely silent about the matter for weeks out of respect for the organisation and in the hope that her concerns would be addressed through the appropriate channels.

“Unfortunately, despite writing to SABC executives and board members, I received no meaningful response.

“Today, I feel compelled to share my experience, not only for myself, but for the many freelancers and independent contractors who often feel powerless when faced with decisions that can dramatically alter their livelihoods.”

According to Moeketsi, when Mabalane was introduced to staff in March 2026, he publicly referred to her as someone who had allegedly contributed to his departure from Kaya FM years earlier because he had hired her.

“This came as a surprise to me and in my view, was inaccurate.

“My professional relationship with him at Kaya FM lasted only a few months in the early 2000s. At the time, staff were informed that shareholders wanted different leadership and that was the extent of my understanding of his departure.”

She said she had hoped to discuss and clarify the matter with him, but that opportunity never arose.

“For five years, I had successfully curated and presented a radio programme that I was specifically contracted to create and host.

“It was a show built around music discovery, not listener requests.”

Moeketsi said that on May 30, 2026 she arrived to present her programme and encountered another series of technical challenges.

“Equipment failures had become increasingly common, and on that day the microphone I relied upon was malfunctioning, making an already demanding broadcast even more difficult.”

She said that near the end of the show, a listener sent a WhatsApp message requesting a song.

“In keeping with the spirit of the programme and the light-hearted responses I had often given over the years, I replied:

‘Why don’t you play it for yourself though?’

“The listener took offence to the response and accused me of being rude. After a brief exchange, I ended the conversation and deleted the messages. When the listener subsequently sent an insulting message from another number, I chose not to engage. At the time, I regarded the interaction as minor and believed it had ended there.”

She said that the following day, May 31, a more significant issue occurred.

“Approximately 40 minutes into my broadcast, the studio suffered a complete technical failure.

“Main Control was forced to take over programming while engineers attempted to resolve the problem.

“In radio, a breakdown of this magnitude is serious. For nearly two hours, I was unable to use the tools required to do my job and emergency measures had to be implemented to keep the station on air.”

Moeketsi said it was the second major technical breakdown to affect her programme within a matter of months.

“I was frustrated and deeply concerned, not only because the incident affected listeners, sponsors, and advertisers, but also because it inevitably reflected poorly on me as the presenter, despite being entirely outside my control.”

She said that while driving home after the broadcast, she received a message from Mabalane asking her to urgently respond to an email he had sent.

“Given the severity of the transmission failure, I assumed the communication related to that incident, it did not!

“Instead, the focus was on my WhatsApp exchange with the listener from the previous day. I was informed that the exchange had become widespread.

“I searched various platforms but could not find evidence suggesting it had gained significant traction. The contrast was difficult for me to understand.

“A major broadcast failure affecting listeners and advertisers appeared to receive less immediate attention than a brief private exchange with a listener.”

She said that on June 1, she wrote a strongly worded email expressing her concerns about the transmission breakdown and what she perceived as the lack of urgency surrounding it.

Moeketsi said that a few days later she was suspended.

“I was unaware of the suspension letter because I did not receive it on my phone due to storage issues. When I arrived at the station on June 6 to present my programme, I discovered that another presenter had already been scheduled in my place.

“I was informed that I should not be broadcasting.

“I subsequently received a charge sheet and was instructed to submit a response by June 9.

“I did so within the prescribed deadline. However, I was also informed that additional matters were being investigated.”

She said that despite repeated attempts, she was never given clarity about what those additional allegations were.

“At this stage, I instructed an attorney to demand my reinstatement because I believed the process being followed was inconsistent with the procedures outlined in my contract.

“It is important to note that this was not a casual arrangement.”

She said she had signed a two-year contract that commenced on April 1, 2026.

“I believed I was entitled to the contractual protections and procedures set out in that agreement.

“On June 6, I completed a broadcast before being removed from the schedule. As required, I submitted an invoice for that work and the payment was withheld on the basis that it formed part of the broader investigation.”

She said that to this day she has not been compensated for that programme, despite the existence of the audio recording confirming that the broadcast took place.

“For any freelancer, being denied payment for work already completed is both financially and emotionally difficult.”

In July, her contract was terminated 

following the conclusion of the investigation.

“On July 15, 2026, the investigation concluded, and my contract was terminated on the grounds of an alleged breach of contract.”

She said she strongly disputes that decision.

“My concern is not merely that I lost a position, people lose jobs every day.

“My concern is whether the process was fair, transparent and consistent with the agreement that both parties voluntarily entered into.”

Moeketsi said that had she remained at SAfm, she would have celebrated 30 years in radio in June.

“When I look back on nearly three decades in broadcasting, I do so with pride. Radio has been my life’s work. It has allowed me to connect with audiences, support South African music and build relationships with listeners across the country.

“For that reason, this experience has been deeply painful. I am not speaking out because I want my job back, I do not! What I want is accountability and an independent assessment of whether the terms of my contract were honoured and whether the actions taken against me were fair.”

She said she is now raising funds to pursue legal action in the High Court.

“This is a fight I do not undertake lightly.

“Litigation is expensive, time-consuming and emotionally draining.

“However, I believe the issues involved extend beyond my personal circumstances.

“Since sharing parts of my experience privately, I have heard from numerous presenters and freelancers who feel they have experienced similar treatment but lacked the resources to challenge it.

“Independent contractors often have limited protections and few practical avenues for recourse. Many simply walk away because they cannot afford to fight. I have decided that I will not!”

She said she was asking for support from those who believe that contracts should be honoured, that due process matters and that no individual should be denied a fair hearing simply because they lack institutional power.

“To everyone who has reached out with messages of encouragement, concern and kindness, thank you. Your support has carried me through one of the most difficult periods of my professional life.”

In response to IOL inquiries, the public broadcaster confirmed that Moeketsi’s contract has been terminated. 

“SAfm management can confirm that Ms Moeketsi’s contract has been terminated following an internal process.”

“The SABC will not comment nor engage further on this matter. It’s important to note that should Ms Moeketsi wish to appeal the decision, she has the right to do so,” SABC spokesperson Mmoni Ngubane told IOL.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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