Veteran broadcaster Kgomotso “KG” Moeketsi, the mother of media personality Dineo Langa, has broken her silence following her dismissal from SAFM, accusing the public broadcaster of unfairly terminating her contract and announcing that she is preparing to take the matter to the High Court.
In an emotional four-page statement released on Wednesday, the respected radio presenter said she had exhausted internal processes before deciding to speak publicly, insisting that her fight was about more than just losing a job.
“I am now raising funds to pursue legal action in the High Court and this is a fight I do not undertake lightly,” Mokeetsi said.
“Litigation is expensive, time-consuming and emotionally draining. However, I believe the issues involved extend beyond my personal circumstances.”
Moeketsi’s contract with SAFM was terminated on 15 July following an internal investigation led by the station’s programme manager, Ferdinand Mabalane.
According to Moeketsi, she had remained silent for weeks out of respect for the SABC and in the hope that her concerns would be addressed through official channels.
“Unfortunately, despite writing to SABC executives and board members, I received no meaningful response,” she said.
The broadcasting veteran, who says she was approaching 30 years in radio, alleged that tensions began shortly after Mabalane arrived at SAFM in March.
She claimed he introduced her to staff as someone who had allegedly contributed to his departure from Kaya FM years earlier after hiring him, a claim she disputes.
“This came as a surprise to me and, in my view, was inaccurate,” she said.
Mokeetsi also detailed the events that she believes ultimately led to her dismissal.
She said that on 30 May she was presenting her music programme while battling ongoing technical failures at the station, including a malfunctioning microphone. During the broadcast, a listener sent her a WhatsApp message requesting a song.
In what she described as a light-hearted response consistent with her show’s style, she replied: “Why don’t you play it for yourself though?”
The listener reportedly took offence and accused her of being rude.
Mokeetsi said she ended the conversation and deleted the messages, believing the matter had ended there.
The following day, the station allegedly experienced a major technical failure that interrupted broadcasting for almost two hours.
She said she assumed management’s urgent communication afterwards would concern the serious transmission breakdown.
“Instead, the focus was on my WhatsApp exchange with the listener from the previous day,” she said.
“I searched various platforms but could not find evidence suggesting it had gained significant traction.”
She questioned why the listener complaint appeared to receive greater attention than the station’s technical failures.
“The contrast was difficult for me to understand,” she said.
“A major broadcast failure affecting listeners and advertisers appeared to receive less immediate attention than a brief private exchange with a listener.”
After raising concerns about the handling of the technical problems, Mokeetsi said she was suspended.
She claimed she never saw the suspension letter because of storage issues on her cellphone and only discovered she had been taken off air when she arrived at the station to present her programme on 6 June.
“I discovered that another presenter had already been scheduled in my place. I was informed that I should not be broadcasting.”
She said she submitted her response to the disciplinary charges within the required deadline but was never given clarity on additional allegations that were reportedly being investigated.
Mokeetsi further claimed that she had signed a two-year contract beginning on 1 April 2026 and believed she was entitled to the protections outlined in that agreement.
She said she completed her final broadcast on 6 June before being removed from the schedule and submitted an invoice for the programme, but payment was withheld because it allegedly formed part of the investigation.
“To this day, I have not been compensated for that programme, despite the existence of the audio record confirming the broadcast took place,” she said.
“For any freelancer, being denied payment for work already completed is both financially and emotionally difficult.”
The veteran broadcaster said the investigation concluded on 15 July, with her contract terminated for an alleged breach of contract, a decision she strongly disputes.
“My concern is not merely that I lost a position, people lose jobs every day,” she said.
“My concern is whether the process was fair, transparent and consistent with the agreement that both parties voluntarily entered into.”
Reflecting on a career spanning almost three decades, Mokeetsi said radio had been her life’s work.
“It has allowed me to connect with audiences, support South African music and build relationships with listeners across the country.”
She insisted that she has no desire to return to SAFM.
“I am not speaking out because I want my job back, I do not,” she said.
“What I want is accountability and an independent assessment of whether the terms of my contract were honoured and whether the actions taken against me were fair.”
Mokeetsi said the legal challenge is also for other freelancers who believe they have been treated unfairly but cannot afford to challenge powerful institutions.
“Independent contractors often have limited protections and few practical avenues for recourse. Many simply walk away because they cannot afford to fight. I have decided that I will not.”
She concluded by thanking those who have supported her throughout the ordeal.
“Your support has carried me through one of the most difficult periods of my professional life.”
