Tsedu rattles SABC bosses

SABC TV host Mpho Tsedu was allegedly removed from air after petty squabbles with his superiors.

The newsman, who presents current affairs show was allegedly suspended for arguing with his director Marieta Pasch and producer Andrew Mokgatle on set after he refused to follow their instructions, allegedly arguing that they can’t tell me anything because it was my face on TV and not yours”.

Sunday World understands that Tsedu was expected to be hauled over the coals but escaped unscathed.

According to two high-level SABC officials, Tsedu circumvented disciplinary action by apologising to COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng a few days before the hearing.

Sunday World has established that Tsedu has also been involved in a marathon tussle with his executive producer Mwaba Phiri since he was stripped of his role as producer of the show. It was said that Tsedu, who was initially both a producer and host of the show, did not take it lightly when he was stripped of the producer responsibilities.

The decision to strip him of the producer role affected him financially and he took the matter personal,” said one of his colleagues.

When Tsedu was contacted for comment, he said: I have nothing to say about any issue that has to do with the corporation (SABC). Speak to Kaizer Kganyago,” he said.

Kganyago, the SABC spokesman, confirmed that Tsedu was not on air between August 1 and 8 but disputed the reasons for his absence.

The allegations that Mr Mpho Tsedu was suspended are not true. The news programme that Mr Tsedu presents was not on air between the 1st of August until the 8th as we had a special elections production from the 1st to the 5th of August, meaning Mr Tsedu would not have been scheduled to work during that time.”

Tsedu was replaced by Media Monitor presenter Alicia Jali while he was off air.

He was brought back, according to insiders, after the alleged intervention of SABC strongman Motsoeneng.

He was brought back by his executive producer on the instruction of Hlaudi. But he was again removed because he continued with his unbecoming behaviour, said the source.

Two of Tsedu’s colleagues, who witnessed some of the arguments with his bosses, claimed he had been undermining his bosses for a long time and was sometimes behaving like a diva on set”.

The same officials revealed that Tsedu’s show was cancelled twice due to him arriving late on set.

Sunday World has learnt that what broke the camel’s back was when his cellphone rang while he was on set during an interview with Wits vice-chancellor Professor Adam Habib.

Crew members and make-up artists have also complained about his conduct.”