Karabo FM to remain off-air due to failed AGM

Palesa Malebo
SASOLBURG – The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) says community radio station Karabo FM will remain off-air due to it’s failure to successfully hold an AGM for the election of a new board last month.
“The radio station has failed to comply with the order, in particular, to hold a Special General Meeting. The station can therefore not be on-air until such time that ICASA has issued a communique to Sentech advising it to formally switch on the radio station,” Icasa’s spokesperson Paseka Maleka said.
The AGM which was held on June 30 at Zamdela Hall was unsuccessful due to disruptions caused by a counter membership group of R35 after it was announced that only those of R50 membership – recognised by ICASA – will be allowed to vote.
During the disruption, they hurled insults at representatives from ICASA and the Complaints and Compliance Committee (CCC) who were present to observe the meeting and accused them of favouring the R50 membership group, led by Karabo FM’s General Secretary Tshepo Nthorela and his task team.
“It is sad that the community of Zamdela and surrounding areas are not aware of what is happening and are being misled. It was sad that such things happened in the presence of authorities. The meeting was purposely disrupted so that the stations licence can be revoked,” said Nthorela.