The Eastern Cape’s biggest community radio station might find itself off air before the end of the week after several of its assets were attached by the sheriff of the high court.
According to a notice of sale in execution published in yesterday’s Daily Dispatch, several moveable assets owned by Unitra Community Radio (UCR) FM will be auctioned off on Friday to pay the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
These include a laptop, Samsung printer, six office chairs, an oil heater, 10 office desks, a four-seater couch, office table, assorted music CDs, a computer and monitor, on-air microphones, a generator, two on-air monitors and keyboards, on-air mixer, a Telefunken flat screen and an Etell cabinet.
“In pursuance of a high court judgment on October 20 2015 and a warrant of execution issued against moveable property pursuant thereto, the listed moveable property will be sold in execution on Friday January 22 2016,” the notice stated.
The Dispatch reported last year that the scandal-plagued Mthatha-based station was facing an uncertain future after the sheriff of the court confiscated equipment to settle outstanding debt.
It was reported at the time that UCR owed the taxman in excess of R1-million.
But when contacted yesterday, UCR station manager Mnyamezeli Madolo reacted with shock at the latest news.
He said the popular station, which he claimed boasts a listenership of more than 400000 according to the latest statistics, had paid up everything it owed to the taxman.
“As far as I know, we have settled everything with SARS and they don’t have anything on us. This is new to me. I am hearing it for the first time.”
The sheriff of the court in Mthatha, Methusi Ntsikeni, confirmed that assets belonging to the station had been attached to pay off a SARS debt. However, he declined to comment further.
The station, which is housed in the Walter Sisulu University’s Nelson Mandela Drive Campus in Mthatha, celebrates its 20th birthday this year.
However, it has a documented history of internal squabbles which has seen station managers replaced time and again.
The Dispatch also reported last year that well-known philanthropist and businessman Dr Dan Pasiya had donated a 10-seater minibus to the station after it was discovered many staff members were sleeping in chairs or on cement floors because they had no means of getting home at night.
Some had been mugged while trying to hitch-hike to work.
King Sabata Dalindyebo councillor and former UCR board member Pasika Nontshiza attributed the station’s woes to a lack of accountability and flouting of corporate governance principles.
“Some individuals have seen the station as an arena to loot and line their pockets. There are some so-called board members who have overstayed their welcome and are earning salaries instead of receiving allowances. But to do that, they have manipulated the processes of corporate governance which the station has to adhere to,” he said. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
UCR FM assets to be auctioned off for debt
According to a notice of sale in execution published in yesterday’s Daily Dispatch, several moveable assets owned by Unitra Community Radio (UCR) FM will be auctioned off on Friday to pay the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
These include a laptop, Samsung printer, six office chairs, an oil heater, 10 office desks, a four-seater couch, office table, assorted music CDs, a computer and monitor, on-air microphones, a generator, two on-air monitors and keyboards, on-air mixer, a Telefunken flat screen and an Etell cabinet.
“In pursuance of a high court judgment on October 20 2015 and a warrant of execution issued against moveable property pursuant thereto, the listed moveable property will be sold in execution on Friday January 22 2016,” the notice stated.
The Dispatch reported last year that the scandal-plagued Mthatha-based station was facing an uncertain future after the sheriff of the court confiscated equipment to settle outstanding debt.
It was reported at the time that UCR owed the taxman in excess of R1-million.
But when contacted yesterday, UCR station manager Mnyamezeli Madolo reacted with shock at the latest news.
He said the popular station, which he claimed boasts a listenership of more than 400000 according to the latest statistics, had paid up everything it owed to the taxman.
“As far as I know, we have settled everything with SARS and they don’t have anything on us. This is new to me. I am hearing it for the first time.”
The sheriff of the court in Mthatha, Methusi Ntsikeni, confirmed that assets belonging to the station had been attached to pay off a SARS debt. However, he declined to comment further.
The station, which is housed in the Walter Sisulu University’s Nelson Mandela Drive Campus in Mthatha, celebrates its 20th birthday this year.
However, it has a documented history of internal squabbles which has seen station managers replaced time and again.
The Dispatch also reported last year that well-known philanthropist and businessman Dr Dan Pasiya had donated a 10-seater minibus to the station after it was discovered many staff members were sleeping in chairs or on cement floors because they had no means of getting home at night.
Some had been mugged while trying to hitch-hike to work.
King Sabata Dalindyebo councillor and former UCR board member Pasika Nontshiza attributed the station’s woes to a lack of accountability and flouting of corporate governance principles.
“Some individuals have seen the station as an arena to loot and line their pockets. There are some so-called board members who have overstayed their welcome and are earning salaries instead of receiving allowances. But to do that, they have manipulated the processes of corporate governance which the station has to adhere to,” he said. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
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