Soweto TV’s T-Bo Touch put on leave
Twala tries to calm heated staff
Soweto TV has put CEO Thabo “T-Bo Touch” Molefe and COO Brian Mokoena on sabbatical leave to allow investigations concerning staff grievances to take place.
The two have taken sabbatical leave following claims of staff retrenchments, according to a statement released by the channel’s board yesterday afternoon. The announcement comes after a video of the staff in an altercation with board member Sello Chicco Twala was trending on social media.
According to sources inside the station, staff called a meeting with chairperson of the board, Sonono Khoza to complain about issues at the station including salary increases, retrenchments, and lack of work tools. While the meeting was on, Molefe, Mokoena and Twala arrived and all hell broke loose.
In the video that has been trending, Twala is seen trying to calm the situation, to no avail. Then they go outside and the staff are heard saying, “ha tsamaye Touch (let Touch go)”.
Trying to calm the staff, Twala said in the video: “We are here for the staff. We are here to listen to your grievances.”
The board has confirmed that it had a meeting on June 24 to listen to staff concerning various matters arising at the station.
“After listening to staff and the issues raised by the staff, which are wide-ranging, including concerns on job security, the board agreed that there is a need for an independent investigation concerning the grievances of the staff. The grievances will be investigated independently and thoroughly in a transparent process.
“Mr Molefe and Mr Mokoena have both offered to take a sabbatical for the duration of the investigation to allow for due process. The board dismisses with contempt the allegation that the two officials were suspended.”
According to the board, the independent investigation will be conducted as speedily and efficiently as possible.
“The interest of the staff will be protected throughout the investigation and the board will ensure that there is no victimisation. The board has placed a moratorium on any retrenchments for the duration of the investigation.
“The board of Soweto TV is aware of unfounded and defamatory social media posts which have been made about the company and the CEO, Mr Thabo Molefe. We are also aware of an anonymous email line which is perpetuating allegations, purportedly on behalf of the staff members of the company.”
When Molefe was contacted for comment he said he was in a workshop and referred all questions to Twala. Twala confirmed that they joined the meeting because they wanted to understand the staff grievances. He told Sowetan that as the board, they wanted to save jobs by any means.