“Bob Mabena has had to leave the public broadcaster in disgrace after allegedly selling their confidential radio strategies to competitors for R1-million,” the Saturday Star reported, citing an anonymous source close to Auckland Park.
The source explained that Mabena (40), a former TV presenter and popular radio DJ, had been away when access was gained to his office and it was found that he had been planning to deliver the SABC's documents containing long-term strategy plans to unidentified competitors.
According to Sunday World, a week before his resignation, Mabena's younger brother was allegedly ‘caught red-handed' by security guards ‘stealing confidential information' from Mabena's office. Mabena was in the US at the time of the incident.
“The boy was taken to Brixton police station for questioning and later released,” the Sunday newspaper wrote. It added that afterwards, SABC's internal audit launched an immediate investigation that led to the confiscation of computers from three senior Metro FM managers close to Mabena - station manager Matona Sakupwanya, new marketing manager Victor Koaho and programme manager Segale Mogotsi.
However, a source who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive of the subject, told Bizcommunity.com that Mabena has been working around the clock to start his own broadcasting venture.
It remains unclear what sort of a venture Mabena, formerly of Kaya FM, Studio Mix and Highveld Stereo, is due to launch or who his financial backers are.
Sunday World said however that Mabena is due to rejoin Kagiso Media, where he will be in charge of Gagasi FM, East Coast Radio and Heat FM.
Mabena's contract was due to end in March this year.
An SABC insider said, “Things are really bad around here. The public broadcaster is skating on thin ice. An urgent intervention is badly needed to save it from self-destruction.”
SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that Mabena resigned, but declined to comment further.
It is believed that the public broadcaster is due to release a statement ‘soon' about Mabena's departure.
Meanwhile, former SABC CEO Dali Mpofu is said to have turned down an offer of R7 million to ‘go peacefully'.
The Sunday Independent and Sunday Argus quoted SABC company secretary Thelma Melk as informing Mpofu last month that his pay-out's amount after tax will be transferred electronically into his account.
Mpofu called and sent an SMS telling the company not to make any transfer in his account. But, desperate to see their ‘enemy' go in peace, the SABC board delivered a cheque of more than R4 million to Mpofu's home.
According to The Sunday Independent, Mpofu's lawyer Sandile July wrote to the SABC to inform them that his client did not accept that pay-out and wanted to be reinstated in his former job.
Mpofu is ready to approach the court - one more time - to challenge his dismissal.
“The papers are ready to be served on the SABC,” July was quoted as saying.
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