Mzansi reacts to Primedia 'letting go' of DJ Fresh & DJ Euphonik

The internet has been flooded with reactions to Primedia's announcement that the company has parted ways with DJ duo Thato “DJ Fresh” Sikwane and Themba “DJ Euphonik” Nkosi.

Primedia pulled the pair off air more than three weeks ago in the wake of rape allegations levelled against them and now they have been released from their contracts with Primedia Broadcasting.

“Primedia Broadcasting can confirm that, after careful consideration of the events of the last few weeks, the company has decided to release DJ Fresh and Euphonik from their contracts. Their last shows on 947 were aired on January 15 and January 10 2021, respectively,” the broadcaster said.

Primedia said in its statement that the decision to let go of the duo was not a reflection of any view on the veracity of any allegations against either Euphonik or Fresh. It said the decision rather prioritised Primedia Broadcasting's business imperatives.

“We believe that this decision is in the best interest of our company and our various stakeholders,” said Geraint Crwys-Williams, interim Primedia Broadcasting CEO.

Meanwhile, DJ Fresh also issued a statement on Twitter confirming they would be resuming all public engagements.

“After extensive consultation, legal and otherwise, we have concluded that this is in our best interests to resume all of our public engagements. We look forward to our names being cleared. Unfortunately, we can't find common ground with Primedia and have agreed a release from our obligations to the broadcaster, with immediate effect,” read the statement.

The Twitter streets were split in opinions between those who felt the duo shouldn't have “lost” their jobs before a court decision had been made and those who felt Primedia was “right” to cut its losses.

Others couldn't help but bring up a recent episode of MacG's Podcast and Chill, where he predicted that the initial decision to have the DJs pulled off air was the beginning of the end for their careers with the broadcasting company.

MacG said Primedia would probably fire the pair as it disliked being associated with any kind of scandal.

Tweeps took to the TL with their varied reactions.

Here are a few memes:

Rape allegations against the DJs came to light earlier this month after a woman took to Twitter to detail the alleged incident, sparking a widespread debate among South Africans on social media.

In an exclusive interview with TshisaLIVE at the time, the woman, who requested that her name not be published, confirmed she had opened a case of rape at Sunnyside police station on January 13.

She said the alleged rape occurred in 2011 at a chillas (small party) she attended with a friend. At the time, she was a second-year student at the University of Pretoria where she was studying towards a bachelor's degree in commerce.

“First, I want to make it clear I was not some kind of stocko or whatsoever people call girls organised to entertain the DJs. I was simply accompanying a friend to a chillas, and that’s where the whole thing happened,” the woman told TshisaLIVE.

Police spokesperson Capt Mavela Masondo confirmed to TshisaLIVE that a charge had been laid.