The popular Unitra Community Radio (UCR) FM is embroiled in another controversy.
This time, a dissolved board has suspended the station manager, Mnyamezeli Madolo.
Madolo’s suspension comes just days after assets worth thousands of rands were seized to pay the taxman, who is owed more than R1-million. They were to be auctioned off by Mthatha High Court sheriff Methusi Ntsikeni on Friday, but Ntsikeni said yesterday the auction had been called off after no one attended. Another date had been set, he said.
The station’s board of directors had appointed Phumzile Gabada as acting station manager. This was despite the fact that the same board was dissolved by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) following a meeting with stakeholders last month.
A committee had been appointed to organise to elect a new board.
But the ousted board chairwoman Nophelo Mbelesi said: “That is a lie . Icasa cannot disband the board. It’s only the annual general meeting that can get rid of the board and not Icasa,” adding they had suspended Madolo.
“He has been charged with gross insubordination and bringing the station into disrepute.”
Yesterday Madolo described his suspension as a “smokescreen” by a group of people hell-bent on corruption.
“My suspension is illegal and Icasa is assisting me to prove that. I might be back in my position before Friday.”
Attempts to contact Icasa or Gabada for comment were unsuccessful yesterday.
Dissolved’ UCR FM board suspends station manager manager
This time, a dissolved board has suspended the station manager, Mnyamezeli Madolo.
Madolo’s suspension comes just days after assets worth thousands of rands were seized to pay the taxman, who is owed more than R1-million. They were to be auctioned off by Mthatha High Court sheriff Methusi Ntsikeni on Friday, but Ntsikeni said yesterday the auction had been called off after no one attended. Another date had been set, he said.
The station’s board of directors had appointed Phumzile Gabada as acting station manager. This was despite the fact that the same board was dissolved by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) following a meeting with stakeholders last month.
A committee had been appointed to organise to elect a new board.
But the ousted board chairwoman Nophelo Mbelesi said: “That is a lie . Icasa cannot disband the board. It’s only the annual general meeting that can get rid of the board and not Icasa,” adding they had suspended Madolo.
“He has been charged with gross insubordination and bringing the station into disrepute.”
Yesterday Madolo described his suspension as a “smokescreen” by a group of people hell-bent on corruption.
“My suspension is illegal and Icasa is assisting me to prove that. I might be back in my position before Friday.”
Attempts to contact Icasa or Gabada for comment were unsuccessful yesterday.
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