Talk-show host puts up fight after radio station’s change of heart
A LEGAL battle is looming between the Heart FM radio station and one of its presenters.
Martin Myers, who is also music icon Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse’s manager, claimed his mic was switched off by management when he returned from leave last month.
Myers had presented the Saturday sports banter show On the Couch for more than 12 years with Tapfuma Makina and Alan Alperstein.
Left without a stable income, he has hauled the station before the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration in Cape Town.
He claims the station acted unfairly and without consultation, and wants 12 months’ salary as compensation.
When Myers returned to the station on July 27, head of programming Denver Apollus told him his show would be phased out in a few weeks. Four days later, Myers received an email from Apollus to confirm the move.
“Due to the discussed changes your services will no longer be required for the show as of Saturday 20th August and therefore your last . . . show will be on Saturday 13th August,” the e-mail read. “I want to thank you for your efforts . . . and for being so passionate about the station.
“Changes are never easy and I hereby thank you for supporting the change. I would like you to decide [how to do] the on-air communication . . . and as discussed you’d want it to be in the spirit of the show’s banter.”
Myers’ lawyer, Barry Varkel, said: “There was absolutely no consultation whatsoever with Martin and no alternative employment opportunities were discussed by Apollus. No reasons were given for Martin’s dismissal. Martin is looking for the maximum compensation allowed for unfair dismissal [12 months].”
Myers also runs an annual music development expo, the Music Exchange.
The CCMA hearing is scheduled for August 29.
When contacted for comment, Apollus said: “Mr Myers’ services are no longer required and he is no longer with the station.”