SuperSport Rugby World Cup anchor and Jacaranda 94.2 breakfast host Darren Scott has resigned from the radio station amidst a racial row, according to a report on Thursday.
Two days before the start of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand on Friday, Scott decided to step down after allegedly several times calling a colleague a k**** at a Jacaranda 94.2 team building event at the weekend.
SuperSport spokesman Clinton van der Berg told Beeld newspaper that Neil Andrews and Peter Davies would take over as presenters.
Van der Berg told Sapa that Scott was granted an indefinite leave of absence, after he requested it.
“We are aware of this whole situation and granted the leave,” Van der Berg said.
Jacaranda 94.2 spokeswoman Jenny Griesel confirmed his departure from the radio station, where he hosted the “Just Plain” breakfast show.
Scott had called Beeld newspaper on Wednesday to say that he had left SuperSport and the radio station.
His lawyer, Les Morison, later called the Afrikaans daily to apologise on Scott's behalf for the phone call, during which Scott reportedly swore.
Morison said Scott's outburst at the team building event was directed at his colleague, named by Beeld as Africa Tshoaedi, who allegedly owed him money.
“People were socialising and drinking in the bar area. The colleague (Tshoaedi) also went to the bar and then Scott said, people who had not paid their debts were not welcome. Tshoaedi then left, but later returned. Scott saw that as a taunt, and used strong words... and called him the k-word,” said Morison.
Morison said Scott was “extremely sorry” about what had happened.
Tshoaedi told Beeld he did not want to comment.
Scott earlier on Thursday interviewed with Talk Radio 702 host John Robbie.
According to Tweets from 702, Scott said he never considered himself to be racist, and admitted responsibility for the racial slur.
He said his colleague repeatedly borrowed money from him and subsequently bought himself a house and car. This caused him to be provoked and he exploded.
Scott apparently apologised profusely to him, saying he deeply regretted it, and let him off the money before they shook hands, according to 702.
"I exploded and a racist word came out that shouldn't have. My resignation has nothing to do with the man. I hate myself for using the word, because I don't see myself as a racist."
Scott said that Tshoaedi accepted his apology.
"I immediately apologised to the person and left matters in the station's hands to sort out," Scott said. - Sapa