DJ Chilli M
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has sacked one of its presenters On Ukhozi FM, DJ Vukani Masinga, also known as Chilli M, over payola and plans to open a criminal case against him.
DJ Chilli M who admitted to taking payola from one of the South Africa musical groups, Street Boys, told the Daily Sun a few days later that he was facing financial troubles after the death of his daughter.
“Every company has its own policies. I went against SABC policy and I paid the price. I was tempted because I had lost my daughter and was in financial distress,” he told the Daily Sun.
‘Payola’ refers to the exchange of money, gifts or favours to radio presenters, who then favour, slot and play certain songs more. Though illegal, it is believed to remain a worldwide problem.
The SABC confirmed that Chilli M who had been with the station, South Africa’s largest since 2012, was booted from the SABC where he co-hosted Ukhozi FM’s weekday midday show Nethezeka NoKhozi, after admitting to having accepted “some form of enticement in exchange for playlisting music”.
The SABC confirmed their decision in a statement released this month, saying, “The SABC has terminated with immediate effect, the contract of Mr Vukani ‘Chilli M’ Masinga’. The termination follows an investigation into allegations of payola. Mr Masinga admitted to accepting some form of enticement in exchange for playlisting music of the people who enticed him.
“The corporation has also taken a decision to institute a criminal case against all parties who were involved. The SABC would like to remind the public that there is a process at all its 18 radio stations to submit music and would like to encourage members of the public not to engage in payola and should they encounter such challenges to bring it to the attention of the organisation. The organisation will continue to have a zero tolerance for fraud and corruption.”