This is why i left SABC, Thabo "Tbo Touch" Molefe Finally opens up

SOUTH AFRICA: Former MetroFM presenter Thabo “Tbo Touch” Molefe is the latest SABC employee to go public about his beef with the broadcaster.

Thabo “Tbo Touch” Molefe. || Image: Veli Nhlapo

The drive-time presenter left more than a million listeners wondering what had sparked his departure after he resigned two weeks ago.

The reason had nothing to do with rumours that Idols South Africa judge and choreographer Somizi Mhlongo had been foisted on him and his Touchdown show.

Molefe said he had quit over the SABC’s refusal to deny reports that he had been taken off air for a week for refusing to read a Hyundai advert, which subsequently lost SABC R15-million in advertising.

He admitted that he had refused to read the advert, but said his suspension was due to a physical confrontation with one of the show’s producers in May.

Molefe said he resigned because the SABC failed to dismiss the misinformation about his suspension.

He said he “couldn’t work at the SABC” if it did not correct reports about his conduct.

“It was about principle,” he said. “If I did not believe in myself I would not have resigned as the host of the No1 radio show nationwide, generating the most revenue and listenership. My lowest numbers averaged over 1.1 million listeners.”

Despite the falling out, Molefe said he had no problem with chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng.

“He introduced a lot of benefits for freelancers and had the courage to extend our contracts from 12 months to three years.”

READ: South African Radio Personality renews "Big money" Contract with Metro FM

This week, SABC contributing editor and specialist anchor Vuyo Mvoko described working at the SABC under Motsoeneng as “hell”.

Mvoko told The Star his show had been canned after he interviewed public protector Thuli Madonsela and shortly before a scheduled piece on state capture.

On Thursday, in an article for Business Day, former SABC senior political correspondent Crystal Orderson wrote that Motsoeneng and his followers were “destroying the groundwork people like Govan Reddy, Zwelakhe Sisulu and others put into transforming the SABC from an apartheid voice to a broadcaster that informs, educates and entertains the nation”.

SOURCE: TimesLive, The African Post,