Sacked trufm station manager Thobeka Buswana was fired in October for misconduct during her 10-year tenure, resulting in “massive” revenue and audience decline for the station.
This is contained in a letter written by acting SABC Eastern Cape general manager Phumzile Mnci to all trufm employees last week.
The letter is in contrast to initial reports that Buswana was fired as part of the planned retrenchments at the public broadcaster aimed at curbing the SABC’s financial woes aggravated by a R3bn salary bill.
Mnci’s letter was a response to a document allegedly posted by Buswana on her Facebook page last week, which claimed the public broadcaster was planning to shut down the Bhisho-based station.
In the letter, which aimed to assure employees of their job security, Mnci told his colleagues that Buswana’s post was intended to cause “instability” at the station.
“The SABC distances itself from the document as it does not represent the stance of the organisation. The corporation is aware of the revenue and listenership challenges facing trufm, and corrective strategies have been developed, and are being implemented.
“The SABC will not be closing down trufm, and Ms Buswana’s claims are therefore misleading and malicious,” Mnci said in the letter.
Buswana was fired by Mnci on October 26 following a two-day disciplinary hearing in East London.
At the hearings, on-air presenter and producer Sisonke Kosani and acting marketing manager Busisiwe Mbatsha testified about the operations at the station under Buswana.
Programmes manager Masixole Mdingane was appointed as the acting station manager. The acting position will rotate every two months among employees until a permanent manager is appointed. Executive producer Ukhona Jelwana is acting in Mdingane’s position.
SABC spokesperson Neo Momodu and Buswana declined to comment on Tuesday...