Kaya FM suspends Sol Phenduka: What we know so far

Johannesburg-based radio station Kaya FM has immediately suspended broadcaster Sol Phenduka.

KAYA FAM SUSPENDS SOL PHENDUKA

Kaya FM has suspended podcaster and radio personality Sol Phenduka with immediate effect. The reason for the suspension remains unclear, but the station is conducting an internal investigation.

“Kaya 959 confirms that presenter Sol Phenduka has been placed on suspension with immediate effect. This step has been taken pending the outcome of an internal process currently underway,” according to a statement.

No additional details have been released beyond this statement. Sol Phenduka co-hosts Kaya FM’s breakfast show Siz the World alongside popular radio personality Sizwe Dhlomo, sportscaster Mpho Maboi, and newsreader Mfundo Mabalane.

SOL PHENDUKA’S JOURNEY IN RADIO AND PODCASTS

Sol Phenduka is popularly known for co-hosting the infamous Podcast and Chill, alongside MacG. The podcast has often been under fire for the comments made, often about women, such as Minnie Dlamini. The media personality reportedly sued MacG and Sol Phenduka for R2.5 millionin damages for hate speech, unfair discrimination and harassment based on sex or gender.

Sol Phenduka joined Kaya FM in 2002 as a co-host on the breakfast show alongside media personality Dineo Ranaka. He also appeared as a contestant on Big Brother. Phenduka previously worked at 5FM but was suspended after making comments about the Van Breda family murders in Stellenbosch.

“Sol referred to her survival as ‘fresh’ because she was the only person who can identify her killer,” read a statement from 5FM at the time.

“His comments, which included him saying she was ‘gorgeous’ and that he would ‘like to axe her out’, but that he ‘wouldn’t X her’, have been seen as insensitive, with social media accusing him of making jokes far too soon after such a tragic event,” read the statement.