SABC in awards drama

Drama surrounds this year's MTN Radio Awards after the SABC threatened to withdraw from the competition.

This comes after the SABC, which runs 19 radio stations, raised concerns over how one of its stations was categorised in the awards by organisers.

SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that a letter was sent to the award organisers "raising certain concerns".

But Kganyago refused to reveal the source of the SABC's concerns, saying the broadcaster was still discussing the matter with the organisers.

He would also not say whether the SABC had threatened to withdraw its stations from the competition.

"I can't reveal what the issue is as it would be like we are negotiating in bad faith. We don't want the issue to come out into the public domain before it's necessary," Kganyago said.

The CEO of the awards, Lance Rothschild, also downplayed the matter and claimed it had been resolved - despite Kganyago saying it was still under discussion.

Rothschild said the SABC "initially had a couple of issues" and had indicated that all its entries were put on hold.

"We had a round table discussion last Wednesday and they are now full participants in the awards," Rothschild said.

When asked what would happen if the concerns that the SABC raised were not resolved, Kganyago said: "It will depend, I can't pre-empt the outcome."

The awards, which have about 30 categories, will be held in Sandton on April 14.