Show axed after Mbalula moans

A COMPLAINT by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has pulled the plug on the hardhitting rugby segment

that aired during Robert Marawa’s show on Metro FM.

The segment ran each Tuesday during the Rugby World Cup in October and featured three former players – Kaunda Ntunja, Lawrence Sephaka and Thando Manana.

The trio were scathing in their criticism of Mbalula and his stance on the lack of transformation in rugby during the November 3 edition of the show.

Suspicions of political interference at the public broadcaster arose when Marawa tweeted on Tuesday that the “decision is in the hands of other human beings” after being asked by an avid listener if

would continue. SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said Mbalula laid his grievance as a member of the public and that there was no political pressure to can the segment.

“We have not canned the show but there was a complaint about that show by Mr Mbalula,” Kganyago said.

“He felt he was wronged and that things were said without him being given an opportunity to respond. We don’t see political interfer- ence in this in any way. Whether Mr Mbalula is right or wrong is irrelevant; we will investigate and come to a decision.”

Mbalula denied any involvement in or knowledge of the discontinuation of the feature. “How do I account for something that happened at Metro FM?” Mbalula asked.

“I have nothing to do with what happens at Metro FM but everything to do with what concerns my space.”

On last week’s show, Manana said: “Mbalula has never played rugby, firstly, and he does not know what it means to be a black Springbok.”