Reverend Dr Mzukisi Faleni has come out swinging in defence of former Umhlobo Wenene FM station manager Loyiso Bala, insisting the broadcaster is being unfairly blamed for decisions that were allegedly made by a powerful “shadow boss” behind the scenes.
In a lengthy pastoral letter seen by Buzz Life News titled The Non-Renewal of Mr Loyiso Bala’s Contract, Faleni claims Bala had “no real power” during his tenure at the Eastern Cape radio station and says the public has directed its anger at the wrong person.
The intervention comes days after the SABC confirmed that Bala’s contract as station manager would not be renewed. Last week, Bala broke his silence, saying there were aspects surrounding his departure that he was “not yet in the position to speak about.”
“There are aspects of how this chapter ended that I am not yet in the position to speak about. Let’s patiently wait for the day God will allow me to talk.”
Faleni says he recently met Bala and encouraged him to tell his side of the story.
“On 27 June 2026, I met Mr Bala on a flight to Cape Town. I told him we owed the public the truth, and he completely agreed. I told him not to take the blame for things that benefited others at his expense. He promised to call me on Tuesday, but he never called and answered my calls or messages.”
According to Faleni, Bala had nothing to do with his removal from Umhlobo Wenene FM several years ago.
“It is wrong that the public is blaming Mr Bala for my firing. He had nothing to do with that decision. The person who actually made the decision is hiding and letting Mr Bala look like a failure.”
The outspoken pastor argues that Bala was merely carrying out instructions from an unnamed senior figure who allegedly continued to influence the station from behind the scenes.
“The truth is that Mr Bala was just following orders from an old boss who wanted to control the station from behind the scenes. This person failed when she/he had the job and tried to fix his/her past mistakes through Mr Bala. The station’s current failures belong to this shadow boss.”
Faleni says the public should stop blaming Bala because he allegedly “had no real power.”
“The South African public must stop blaming Mr Bala because he had no real power. We found ourselves targeted due to internal management politics that had absolutely nothing to do with us.”
The reverend also defended the success of his former programmes at the station, claiming they consistently attracted millions of listeners.
“When we were forced out, our show had 2.8 million listeners. Our show was the second biggest at the station, just behind BEE, which had three million listeners.”
He added that before partnering with the late Rev Otto Makalima, his Sunday morning programme attracted 2.4 million listeners, while the Imvuselelo programme he co-hosted with Nomonde reached 1.9 million listeners, generated around R1 million in revenue and attracted crowds of up to 24,000 people during outside broadcasts.
According to another insider, Bala was nota favourite to “one of the people in leadership.”
Faleni believes Bala ultimately lost his job when he attempted to exercise independent leadership.
“The moment he started thinking for himself, he was fired. He is the first manager in the station’s history to be fired before finishing a second term.”
He went even further, calling for an independent investigation into the station’s governance.
“We need an official independent inquiry, like a Madlanga Commission, to clean up the station.”
Despite his criticism of the station’s leadership, Faleni stressed that he holds no ill feelings towards Bala.
“I am not angry with Mr Bala. He was never allowed to make his own choices or learn from his mistakes; other people made those mistakes for him.”
He also dismissed speculation that Bala’s departure could pave the way for his own return to Umhlobo Wenene FM.
“Anyone who thinks Mr Bala’s non-renewal means I am returning is mistaken. The person truly in charge will never allow me back.”
Faleni concluded his letter by wishing Bala well.
“I wish Mr Bala the very best, and he will always have my respect and blessings.”
The SABC has not publicly responded to the allegations contained in Faleni’s letter. The claims remain Faleni’s account of events.
Cece Smith 