He is a radio giant and when his listeners did not hear his voice on the midday show yesterday, they became suspicious. Radio veteran Thuso Motaung's show Jwale Ke Nako was hosted by Nkunyana "Skuzabell" Nkunyana. He was reported to have been dismissed from The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) with immediate effect.

UNSCHEDULED

The SABC has ,however, come forward to dispute the reports stating that he has temporarily been unscheduled from Ledisedi FM for operational reasons and will be back on his programme after two weeks and that he has not been fired. "The SABC has noted with concern the incorrect reports in the media, which claim that veteran broadcaster Mr Thuso Motaung has been dismissed from Lesedi FM. The reports further claim that Mrs Mamontha Motaung is suspended or dismissed from the SABC. The SABC is disappointed at this irresponsible and sensational reporting by various media publications and would like to set the record straight." The SABC statement adds that Mamontha, who is Motaung' s wife and the SABC Northern Cape general manager is also not dismissed nor is she suspended as it has been reported. They reiterate,"Whilst the corporation is accountable to the public on various corporate issues, it is imperative to note that it will not discuss any matters pertaining to the employer-employee relationship in the media and public space."

CONSPIRACY

Last year, Motaung accused award-winning SABC sportscaster Thabo Kofa of plotting to kill him and his family. In the same year, it was reported that Motaung was visited by the Hawks after it was discovered that he was withdrawing two salaries from two government entities, which is not permitted by law. At the time, Motaung was working as a deputy director of intervention in the Free State premier's office for more than 10 years and still retained his job as Lesedi FM presenter. He has since left the job.