Johannesburg - YOU FM, formerly North West FM, has parted ways with veteran broadcaster Pat Cash, real name Malik Maloyi.
It is not clear what the main reasons are for his dismissal, but the station has alluded to sexual harassment, which has reportedly been brought to light by women members of the station.
On Monday, the station issued a statement confirming the departure of the former Kaya FM broadcaster.
Ahead of the broadcaster’s termination of employment, IOL reported that a top North West radio personality was embroiled in allegations of intimidation and bullying of a woman colleague and had been dragged onto social media with claims that he is "untouchable" and "protected" by his employer, the Rustenburg-based YOU FM.
A Facebook post by former YOU FM newsreader, Itumeleng Kwena raised questions because of the close similarities in his missives to what allegedly took place at the station in October regarding the harassment allegations against Pat Cash, although Kwena has denied that the two are linked.
However, later on Monday, the news was confirmed by the station through a statement terminating his contract.
"YOU FM has today terminated its contract with Mr Malik 'Pat Cash' Maloyi with immediate effect. The station took a decision to part ways with Mr Maloyi following a series of serious allegations by some women employees at the station that spilled out onto both social and mainstream media.
"Although YOU FM expresses no opinion on the veracity of these allegations against Mr Maloyi, our action seeks to prioritise and manage the reputational risks and commercial interests of the station," the station manager, Thabo Muridili, said in a statement.
The station said it takes matters of gender-based violence seriously and cautions against untoward behaviour from any of its staff. It said even though it has yet to verify these claims, the reputation of the station takes precedence, which is why it has acted swiftly following the news of these incidents.
"In line with our commitment to ensure that a safe working environment for all our staff members, YOU FM will remain vigilant on matters pertaining to GBV and workplace bullying, whether direct or salient ... YOU FM views these allegations seriously, hence the termination of Mr Maloyi's contract to safeguard the interests and reputation of YOU FM and its stakeholders," Muridili added.
Attempts to get comments from Maloyi were not successful at the time of going to print.
The Star