Radio station used for political campaigns and positions

Emfuleni-based community radio station, Thetha FM, has allegedly been used as a tool for political campaigns and positions.

The station has also been rocked by allegations of staff exploitation, harassment, interference, abuse of power, and flouting media freedom. It also faces allegations of staff victimisation and unfair dismissal.

The allegations implicate founder Jimmy Dhlamini and board members Zacharia Nqayi and Frida Motsoikha, as well as station manager Kabelo Keogatile.

The complaints lodged with the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), were leaked to the Sunday Independent this week.

They were lodged by a former employee whose name is being withheld to protect him and those close to him. He was allegedly dismissed for fighting for the rights of other employees.

The former presenter, told ICASA that Dhlamini and his board had breached the broadcasting regulations and ethics.

Theta was registered in December 2010 and is currently fighting for the renewal of its broadcasting licence.

By law, community radio stations must not be politically affiliated. But, according to the employee, Dhlamini has been at the forefront of the birth of political parties in the Vaal.

He said Dhlamini, the former African Radical Economic Transformation Alliance’s (Areta) provincial coordinator, allegedly played a huge role in the establishment of the party in the Sedibeng region last year.

ICASA spokesperson, Milly Matlou confirmed receipt of the complaint, adding that it was under investigation. She said a response would be provided in due course.

The complainant said Thetha FM was used as a PR machine in this establishment.

The Sunday Independent is in possession of the WhatsApp messages where Dhlamini campaigned and promoted Areta’s events. The paper is also in possession of pictures that Dhlamini took with former Areta leader Carl Niehaus. He also attended and participated in a national shutdown in which Areta and other small political parties joined the EFF, calling for the resignation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

After the death of Areta, Dhlamini joined the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party from which he was recently expelled for allegedly using Thetha FM to undermine the party’s interim structure in Sedibeng. He was further accused of hosting meetings of parallel structures and threatening other members and the interim structure with violence

Dhlamini’s alleged girlfriend was number 13 on the MK Party’s provincial list in Gauteng, while Nqayi’s name was on the party’s regional list. The complainant said Motsoikha was currently the MK Party’s coordinator in Sedibeng.

The former employer alleged that all these political parties were given platforms on Thetha FM.

Dhlamini denied the allegations, saying “how can I benefit politically from the station and maybe you have an innovative way that benefits politicians? and I will be glad to be abreast of the beneficial methodology”.

He denied participating in the inception of Areta but admitted that the party’s political ideology was appealing, saying this had encouraged him to participate and provide knowledge, skills, capabilities and in-depth political experience to the party months later.

Ask to confirm his relationship status with the alleged girlfriend, Dhlamini said: “What kind of question is this one? Ask me about work, not romance. This is gossip at its best and I must indicate that I am extremely disappointed. You want to tell me who has sex with who?”

Dhlamini said he was not aware of the MK Party’s list but confirmed that Nqayi was a member of the party, not an office bearer. He said Nqayi had a democratic right to participate in any political party of his choice according to the Constitution.

He also confirmed that Motsoikha was a leader of the MK Party in her right as a citizen of a democratised society.

“Basically, she is not an office bearer taking into cognisance the fact that MK Party has only an interim structure and they have not had a conference to elect executives; and in my view when that time comes we will advise you but for now it is just coordination of resources both human and capital,” said Dhlamini, confirming that he too was a member of the party in good standing.

However, the MK Party media and communication head Commander Cassey Madikgetla said Dhlamini have been expelled from the MK party in Sedibeng region. He said reason behind his expulsion stems from their gross misconduct of bringing the organisation into disrepute by organising, hosting, aiding and leading a parallel structure in the Sedibeng region.

This was after the party accused Dhlamini of abusing Thetha FM to undermine its interim structure.

The former employee said the working conditions were difficult under the guidance of Dhlamini and Keogatile. He said some employees were unfairly dismissed, and a female presenter was allegedly fired for refusing to enter into a relationship with Keogatile.

He said a case of sexual and unfair labour practice was reported to the CCMA but Dlamini and Nqayi asked the presenter to drop the case.

The complainant added that the staff and managers were working without employment contracts. The statement was backed by an employee who said their salaries were not consistent, and without a payment date.

Dhlamini also faced a possible lawsuit after an EFF member, Lehlohonolo Malindi, through his lawyers - Sithi & Thabela Attorneys - demanded R1.5 million for defaming and damaging his reputation during a talk show on December 20, 2023. This was after Dhlamini allegedly labelled Malindi as a criminal who sold RDP houses illegally.

He was also reported to ICASA after he made serious and unfounded accusations that the ANC Sedibeng deputy coordinator, Lunga Fuzane, had bumped and damaged a municipality vehicle.

This resulted in the community and listeners raising grievances about the running of the station and launching a petition, demanding the immediate closure or removal Dhlamini and his board.

Dhlamini said Fuzane’s claims were politically motivated after Thetha FM covered a story about the High Court judgment pertaining to a corruption case against the ANC regional secretary in Sedibeng.

Dhlamini also insisted that Malindi sold RDP houses in Sebokeng, adding that the matter of the female presenter and the complainant had been resolved, as the case was dismissed. He said the two would resume their duties soon.

He added that the station employed only two people on a permanent basis, and both had employment contracts while the rest were volunteers who received stipends.

manyane.manyane@inl.co.za