Gareth Cliff leaves 5FM

Cliff, who has been working at 5FM for a decade, will be leaving to offer his “dysfunctional radio family something new,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page.

Last show on 5FM today. Let’s get unhinged. Come with me.

— Gareth Cliff (@GarethCliff) March 31, 2014

“After two suspensions and several close-shaves, dozens of Broadcasting Complaints Commission of SA complaints and almost as many management changes at the SABC, it’s time to get unhinged,” Cliff said on his personal website.

Cliff will not be leaving alone, he has scooped up executive producers Thabo Modisane, Damon Kalvari, Mabale Moloi as well as news anchor Leigh-Ann Mol, who has been alongside Cliff since 2003.

READ MORE: Exclusive: Gareth Cliff to join ANC

According to the statement Mol confirmed that this was no April fool’s stunt and that she would be joining Cliff.

“I could always stay at 5FM, drink more and continue farming cats or I could do something really brave. I’ve chosen the latter. I must be drunk,” she said.

Kalvari described the team parting as an amicable divorce in which Cliff got custody of the children.

“It’s been nightmare keeping Gareth within the rules. Hopefully I won’t have to do that where we’re going,” Modisane said.

Cliff and his team took to social media to announce the decision and that today was his last show.