UPDATE: Hot 91.9FM releases statement concerning the station’s responses to the occurrences this week
JOBURG – Martinengo took to social media to 'stand by what [he] said'.
The managing director of Hot 91.9FM, Lloyd Madurai, issued the following statement on the station’s Facebook page yesterday in a bid to provide clarity on the station’s responses to the events that unfolded this week.
The statement reads:
“The circumstances over the last few days have necessitated extremely difficult and distressing decisions that had to be made decisively by station management. By way of clarification, the Board and management of the Gauteng Media Development Project (GMDP) NPC [non-profit company] release the following additional statement concerning the station’s responses to this week’s occurrences.
“For a better understanding, the station, which is a non-profit company, is governed by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (“ICASA”) Code of Conduct for Broadcasting.
“All On Air Contractors sign and agree to the Code of Conduct in accordance with various South Africa statutes which the station adheres to, including among others:
*The Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005
*The South African Democratic values
*The Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa Code of Conduct
*The ICASA Regulated Code of Conduct for Broadcasting Licenses
“The management of the station is responsible to ensure that all employees, including contractors, adhere and uphold the above-mentioned statutes without fear or favour, irrespective of reference to any external parties.
A Provision of Services Agreement was in place between the Gauteng Media Development Project NPC and Sasha Martinengo Holdings (Pty) Ltd, whereby Sasha Martinengo was contracted to present the breakfast show. Due to a breach of this agreement, the said contractual agreement was terminated.
“In particular: A statement was made on social media (Facebook), about Mr. Julius Malema not being a listener of the radio station. As such, we wish to place on record, that Mr. Julius Malema was notified of the incident through a tweet from a listener-which he was directly tagged in- before the breakfast show ended.
“Furthermore, before 9am, numerous requests for official comment was received by media.
“The community standards of the social media platforms necessitate the removal of racist and derogatory comments and therefore shall be removed forthwith. The community at large is reminded of the liabilities and repercussions that can be attached to irresponsible and unlawful commentary on any social media platform.”
Update, 10 October, 2pm: UPDATE: EFF to lay charges against Martinengo after referring to Malema as a ‘monkey’
The EFF has suggested that it will lay a criminal complaint against Sasha Martinengo.
This is following Martinengo’s referral to EFF leader Julius Malema as a ‘monkey’ during the broadcast of the Breakfast Show this week. Martinengo was fired from Hot 91.9FM.
“We welcome the firing of Sasha Martinengo, a Hot 91.9FM DJ who called CIC Julius Malema a monkey. However we will not end there. We will, through our branches in Gauteng, be opening a criminal case against him because racists belong in jail,” the EFF’s statement read on Tuesday afternoon.
The station has since apologised to Malema.
EFF Statement On The Radio DJ Who Called CIC @Julius_S_Malema A Monkey pic.twitter.com/A3ICRDQR6R
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) October 2, 2018
Earlier, 2 October, 2.30pm
Managing director of Hot 91.9FM, Lloyd Madurai, released a statement on Facebook today, 2 October, regarding an ‘unfortunate and unacceptable incident’ that took place during the broadcast of the Breakfast Show.
Radio host, Sasha Martinengo said, “[A]nd people still listen to this monkey,” in reference to EFF leader, Julius Malema.
“The values of this radio station include a full and unconditional commitment to the South African Bill of Rights and an all-encompassing respect for all our community irrespective of their political point of view,” the statement read.
“The statement by the presenter violated the station’s code of conduct and its commitment to our national democratic values and furthermore is viewed in an extremely serious light.”
The station has since apologised to Malema and removed Martinengo from all involvement with the radio station with immediate effect.
Madurai further stated that it will not tolerate this form of conduct and is committed to all their community members equally, irrespective of their political, religious, ideological or social beliefs.
“To this end, the station renews its commitment to the ICASA Broadcasting Standards and to the national Constitution and has taken detailed remedial steps to ensure non-recurrence of such behaviour,” the statement concluded.
Martinengo has since taken to Twitter following the incident on air:
I’m sorry if I offended anyone,but I stand by what I said.
Anyone, irrespective of their race, colour, creed , religion, gender who disrespects a woman is a monkey.
— F1sasha (@F1sasha) October 2, 2018
South Africans have also responded to his comment with mixed reception:
Where have you been for the last couple of years Sasha?. With present situation in South Africa you should have known better. There is no defending your actions no matter which way you squirm. We are all human and make mistakes. Own up to it and apologise unreservedly.
— Wolverine (@BAMFBIKER) October 2, 2018
Fully agree with everything you said. The station should be supporting you, not firing you.
— Mike Briggs (Ret.)#voetsekANC. (@mikefbriggs) October 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/ChesterQha_/status/1047101772744019968
https://twitter.com/sizimema/status/1047081355593564161
https://twitter.com/brokenfone/status/1047094302265024512
https://twitter.com/darynhouse/status/1047086424485449728
