KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane has denied allegations that she pressured radio station Vuma FM into terminating the employment of veteran presenter and activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma over her involvement in recent anti-illegal immigration protests, reports News24.
Ngobese-Zuma reportedly received her termination letter last week, and speculation is rife that the MEC had a hand in the dismissal, amid rumours that she threatened to pull government advertising from the station unless Ngobese-Zuma was fired.
This after Ngobese-Zuma’s March and March Movement, an organisation she founded to campaign against illegal immigration in South Africa, started several protests against foreign nationals at various Durban hospitals recently.
In response, Simelane said she noted with concern the speculation alleging her involvement in the dismissal, but said the department has no authority, influence, or interest in the employment matters of any media house or entity outside its jurisdiction.
“Any suggestion of our involvement … is entirely false and without merit. We respect the autonomy of all independent organisations, including Vuma FM, in making internal staffing decisions,” the MEC said.
Ngobese-Zuma said she had received a letter terminating her employment contract without any reasons given to her, and that allegedly, a complaint had been laid by an external entity and/or individual.
The March and March Movement said it noted “with grave concern that a number of individuals in our movement have faced severe threats, including losing their jobs, and even chilling death threats for daring to speak out”.
It said it would will “never be deterred by such acts of intimidation or injustice”.
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