Shutting Metro FM DJ Tbo Touch up is no mean feat, but his employers had 15 million reasons to do so.
The popular radio show host has been banished from the airwaves, for now at least, following what appears to be gross insubordination and a running feud with station boss Sibongile Mtyali.
Touch (real name Thabo Molefe) is alleged to have cost the station a R15 million partnership with car-maker Hyundai when he refused to refer to his Rush Hour show as The Hyundai Rush Hour, as was required by the sponsorship deal.
The incident appears to have been the last straw for the station, as Touch’s deteriorating relationship with Mtyali saw him flout station policy and ignore direct orders.
Touch allegedly ignored a directive to do two interviews pershow, on the basis that it would sap his energy, claimed a Sunday newspaper report. He also introduced a new segment, titled Gospel Replenish, without obtaining permission from his superiors, and then ignored orders to cut the new segment’s running time to 30 minutes. He has also been accused of ignoring the station’s playlist policy.
According to SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, “Mr Molefe has got issues with management that he needs to resolve with them.”
But an unamed source quoted in a Sunday tabloid, paints a picture of a relationship that is beyond repair.
This source claims that Touch reacted in a petty manner when asked to cut back his Gospel Replenish segment.
“Instead he started the inset 30 minutes before its usual time thereby giving it more than an hour,” said the source.
“This pissed Sibongile (Mtyali) off and she phoned T-Bo Touch's producer and demanded answers from him.
“The producer then handed the phone to Touch who grabbed it and slammed it down in Sibongile's ear.”
After the phone call, Touch and his producer allegedly had a physical altercation.
IOL