Metro FM has pulled the plug on DJ Sbu’s radio career at Auckland Park.
The DJ was fired on Tuesday morning before the date of his disciplinary hearing could be finalized.
DJ Sbu was initially suspended by the station about three weeks ago for promoting his energy drink Mofaya at the Metro FM Music Awards that were beamed live on SABC1 early this month.
His shoes will be filled by the sultry Lerato Kganyago, who presents SABC1’s lifestyle magazine show The Link .
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago confirmed DJ Sbu was let go.
“We can confirm he was given a letter during the week stating they are not going to negotiate a new contract with him,” he said.
“He will also not be on air for the remainder of his current contract.”
A senior SABC official who did not want to be named because he was not allowed to speak to the media said the station wrote a letter to DJ Sbu on Tuesday telling him there would be no negotiations regarding his new contract.
They also told him he would not be on air until his contract comes to an end in April.
“All the DJs’ contracts lapse in April, so they are renegotiating new ones,” said the official.
“He too was expecting to be given a chance to renegotiate his new contract once his hearing was done.
“He expected his contract to be renewed as he hoped the disciplinary committee would give him a written warning and not fire him.
“But they surprised him. You see, this boy is in self-destructive mode. I sympathise with him.”
The official added that the station opted for this route because it was cost-effective.
“Remember, you need a lawyer to preside over the matter. The money to pay the lawyer has to come from the station’s coffers.
“So the cost-effective route made more sense to the station .”
Another source confirmed Kganyago was to replace DJ Sbu on the radio station.
“She will start in April and co-host the show with someone the station’s management is still trying to sign,” said the source.
“The station is on the verge of finding that new person because a line-up has to be announced before April 1.”
The source said the show, airing on Saturdays, would be given a new name.
“They won’t keep the name of the show. They are changing it from Sweet Sounds to something else,” the source said.
– sunday world