Metro FM says Bonang was fired

The SABC has urged Bonang Matheba to come clean about her abrupt departure from Metro FM last week.

The 26-year-old radio and TV personality told fans she had decided to sever ties with the broadcaster because it would not allow her to work for other stations.

That was just more than two months into her new job as the radio station's mid-morning show host.

However, SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said she was fired and that her contract was terminated with immediate effect after she violated its terms.

Kganyago accused Matheba of "misleading the public" through a statement made on Friday evening last week.

"She signed a contract with SuperSport before asking for permission and chose to deny having signed anything with SuperSport on several occasions when we [asked] her about the matter," said Kganyago.

"She should have read the contract and abided by it."

Matheba was a new hireling on Metro FM, on which she presented the mid-morning Front Row show between nine and 12.

The broadcaster has been inundated with complaints about Matheba's sacking.

He said the public should note that all the station's staff sign a standard contract in terms of which they may work across different platforms and channels - as long as they first get the necessary permission.

"It's a basic policy. All we wanted was for her to let us know so we can then check if her working at SuperSport clashes with her obligations at the station.

"This is not about the SABC versus DStv, as she tried to put it. It's basic employment terms that most companies use."

But Matheba maintains that the contract did not preclude her from working on "other platforms outside of radio".

"My future potential cannot be jeopardised by accepting terms that will not grow my career," said Matheba, who is also a Top Billing presenter on SABC3.

She added that she "could not agree to the SABC's blanket terms restricting me to work with other broadcasters".

Matheba is now co-presenting a soccer World Cup show with Sizwe Dhlomo on SuperSport.