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Social media has been buzzing since Wednesday evening following the announcement from Primedia Broadcasting to cut ties with DJ Fresh and Euphonik.
The two presenters, who both worked on 94.7 were last on air on the 15th and 10th of January respectively.
They were taken off the airwaves after a woman on Twitter accused them of drugging and raping her in 2011.
The alleged victim has since opened a formal case of rape.
This is not the first time DJ Fresh has been accused of rape and not the first time that Euphonik's name has been associated with Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Activist and poet Ntsikii Mazwai was the first to accuse DJ Fresh, on Twitter, of rape.
Fresh, whose real name is Thato Sikwane took Mazwai to Court which ordered her to remove all defamatory statements about him online.
The Interim CEO of Primedia Geraint Crwys-Williams said their decision does not reflect a view on the veracity of any allegations against either Euphonik or Fresh. Rather it prioritises Primedia Broadcasting’s business imperatives.
"We believe that this decision is in the best interest of our company and our various stakeholders,” he added.
Several people within the broadcasting industry have since weighed in on the latest developments.
Former 702 presenter Eusebius McKaiser took to Twitter and accused Primedia of choosing profit over the plight of women.
So to be clear and to make sure there's NO misunderstanding: this Primedia statement is NOT saying the company took a decision about Fresh and Euphonik based on opposition to rape culture. It is a strictly BUSINESS decision. Womxn aren't top of mind, only profits are. pic.twitter.com/JFOQ2V1FZM
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) February 10, 2021
When the rape allegations first surfaced in January, radio presenter and journalist Redi Thlabi said, although she had respect for one of the men accused and believed that he should have a fair trial, she believed the victim.
I believe her. Even when accused is a respected peer. I believe her. The allegations are too serious to ignore. In keeping with LeadSA antirape initiative Primedia launched, there is room for a stronger statement that doesn't subvert legal process. 1) Because rape is a scourge & https://t.co/OJdopXg6wJ
— Redi Tlhabi (@RediTlhabi) January 16, 2021
Fresh and Euphonik issued a joint statement on Wednesday thanking Primedia for the opportunities they were given within the company. They announced that they would be resuming all their public engagements as they look forward to clearing their names.
— DJ Fresh (Big Dawg) (@DJFreshSA) February 10, 2021
DJ Fresh, who has worked at several radio stations including 5FM, was fired from Metro FM in 2019 after his conduct on-air lead to an official complaint at the Broadcasting Complaints Commission.
He joined Primedia after shortly after his sacking.
