SIYABONGA SITHOLE
FAN favourite Ukhozi FM host Sipho “DJ Sgqemeza” Mbatha and two producers of the Vuka Africa Breakfast Show have been suspended by the station’s management.
No reasons were given for the suspension, with the station saying it was an internal matter for the parties concerned.
Yesterday, the station’s listeners were surprised to wake up to a different set of voices, not having suspected that the host would be “unscheduled” by management of the popular station.
Unbeknown to legions of the station’s listeners, Siya Mhlongo and co-host Nonhlanhla “Mroza” Buthelezi were at the helm of one of the country’s leading breakfast shows, which is usually hosted by Mbatha.
Mbatha was joined on suspension by technical producer Mandla Magwaza and the show’s content producer, Babheke Mthethwa. It is not known how long the suspension will last.
A statement from the station’s communication department, headed by Gugu Ntuli, said the station would not be commenting any further on this internal matter concerning three of the show’s on-air personalities and two producers.
“Ukhozi FM management regrets to inform the station’s listeners that three members of the breakfast show team have been unscheduled following an internal investigation. These members are three hosts and two producers,” the station said in a media statement.
The station said the stand-in line-up made up of Mhlongo and Buthelezi would ensure continuity while the matter was being resolved internally.
“Management will not discuss this matter further as it is an employer-employee relationship governed by this corporation’s policies. Management has put measures in place to ensure continuity of the show. Siya Mhlongo is the stand-in presenter, who will co-host the show with Nonhlanhla ‘Mroza’ Buthelezi,” the statement said.
When asked to clarify the appearance of Buthelezi on the interim line-up, the station’s spokesperson, Mmomi Seapolelo, said Buthelezi, who is part of the original breakfast show, was not affected by the suspension and she continues to be part of the stand-in team.
“Siya is the stand-in presenter and will co-host with Mroza as she (Mroza) is part of the breakfast team. However, she was not affected by this (suspension),” Seapolelo said.
One listener said she was not aware of the suspension and was surprised when Mbatha was not part of the show yesterday morning.
“I was not aware of a suspension, but wondered how come Sgqemeza was not in this morning. I wonder what is happening?” she said.