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- The SABC has taken radio host Phiwo “Pastor” Nozewu off the air following comments he made about the violence in Brackenfell.
- Umhlobo Wenene FM breakfast show host Eyondlayo Ek’seni received backlash for a sub-tweet on Twitter and thThe EFF accused him of supporting the violence.
- Nozewu apologized for the “insensitive” comments, adding that the reaction has opened her eyes.
SABC has discredited popular Umhlobo Wenene FM host, Phiwe “DJ Pastor” Nozewu, for discrediting the public broadcaster after he made “insensitive” comments about the violence that recently erupted in Brackenfell.
EXCLUSIVE | Death threat directed at Brackenfell High alumnus who spoke out about racism
Unschedule is a term used when an airborne personality has been out of the air for a period of time.
In an official statement, SABC Acting Spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo said: “The SABC can confirm that Mr. Phiwe Nozewu [has been] unscheduled on Umhlobo Wenene FM by the station’s management, following their public statements on Twitter regarding a violent incident that took place in Cape Town. The SABC takes this matter seriously and has therefore not scheduled Mr. Nozewu until further notice for discrediting the organization. “
Nozewu has since apologized.
On Wednesday, the EFF asked the SABC to fire the presenter.
READ | Brackenfell High School: 6 EFF supporters injured, bakkie damaged
Nozewu received backlash on Twitter this week for the comments, which allegedly endorsed the violence at Brackenfell.
The presenter commented on a photo on the social media platform, which showed a teenager dragging an EFF member during the fight near the school premises. In the original tweet, which Nozewu commented, the user had crowned the boy “man of the match” in apparent celebration of his actions.
Using jargon, Nozewu sub-tweeted that the boy gave the protesters a real beating and added four laughing emojis.
The EFF said the presenter should be fired for “self-hate comments endorsing public violence.”
“In a pathetic display of anti-blackness, Nozewu posted her apparent joy on Twitter at the assault by EFF activists, who were targeted by bigots. [people] who believe that there are sectors in South Africa where black people cannot meet. His support for violence and violation of the constitutional right to peacefully protest is at odds with his position at the national broadcaster and has, in essence, discredited SABC, “said EFF national spokesperson Vuyani Pambo.
After the backlash, Nozewu replied: “In light of what has happened in the last 24 hours, regarding my sub-tweet … I have decided to write this statement. It is addressed not only to the EFF but to all Black people who were offended by my response to the tweet in question. I have decided to acknowledge negligence and insensitivity to the matter on my part. Racism is a sensitive topic and my comments were misled. “
Nozewu said it was not intended to hurt, adding that she hoped the apology would find resonance with those affected and offended.
“It has been a revelation for me,” he said in the statement.
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