SABC news reader fired for fraud
SEASONED SABC2 news anchor Lucas Kgaphola has been fired for fraud.
Kgaphola, one of the most popular Sepedi news readers and former SABC3 news anchor, was dismissed two weeks ago for allegedly inflating his payment invoices.
Attempts to solicit a comment from Kgaphola, who joined Thobela FM three months ago as a graveyard slot presenter, drew a blank.
SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago confirmed Kgaphola, who joined the corporation in 2003, had been sacked from all their platforms.
We can confirm the SABC has terminated the services of Mr Kgapola due to material breach of his employment contract,” said Kganyago.
Two SABC officials, who did not want to be named because they were not authorised to speak to the media, said the former Kaya FM and Jacaranda FM reporter was given marching orders after allegedly being caught red-handed trying to commit fraud.
He submitted an invoice claiming money he never worked for, said the official.
In one of the invoices, he claimed money for a shift worked by one of his colleagues. They [SABC] then checked his previous invoices, already processed, and found he was paid for shifts he had never worked.
When questioned, he apologised and undertook to repay the money. But they told him to go fly a kite.”
The official said Kgaphola was summarily booted out without a disciplinary hearing.
They just told him to pack his things and leave, and he left.”
The official said the real drama unfolded the following day when Kgaphola reported for duty.
His boss [Buti Motaung] confronted and ordered him to leave the office as he had been fired. But he remained at his desk and only left when other staff members left the office in the afternoon.”
The official said Kgaphola ceased to gain access to the newsroom only once the SABC’s security personnel had deactivated his access card.
Another official said Kgaphola was a victim of his own bloomers.
He appeared in one of the magazines flaunting his new house and luxury cars, that s why [they] started investigating him,” said the official.
He knew they did not like him because he was the programme director at Julius Malema’s wedding. Everyone close to Julius is monitored here at the SABC.”