The EFF says it will have a criminal case opened against radio presenter Sasha Martinengo after he referred to party leader Julius Malema as a “monkey” while live on air. Sasha Martinengo has since been fired from Hot91.9fm because of his comment.
EFF spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi tweeted: We welcome the firing of Sasha Martinengo‚ a @Hot919fm DJ who called CIC Malema a monkey. However‚ we will not end there. We will‚ through our branches in Gauteng‚ be opening a criminal case against him because racists belong in jail.”
The station’s managing director‚ Lloyd Madurai‚ said in a statement: “This morning an unfortunate and completely unacceptable incident took place during the Breakfast Show whereby‚ during the course of the broadcast‚ a reference was made by anchor presenter‚ Sasha Martinengo‚ who said “and people still listen to this monkey‚” referring to Mr. Julius Malema.”
Martinengo had been removed from the station with immediate effect.
“Notwithstanding the presenter’s immediate and unreserved apology‚ the station has forthwith elected to remove him from all involvement with the radio station with immediate effect. Furthermore‚ the station hereby issues a public apology to Mr. Malema and deeply regrets any adverse inference that the conduct of the presenter has had‚” he said.
Martinengo said on his official Twitter account: “I’m sorry if I offended anyone‚ but I stand by what I said. Anyone‚ irrespective of their race‚ colour‚ creed ‚ religion‚ gender who disrespects a woman is a monkey.”Twitter responded to the announcement:
We welcome the firing of Sasha Martinengo, a @Hot919fm DJ who called CIC Malema a monkey. However, we will not end there. We will, through our branches in Gauteng, be opening a criminal case against him because racists belong in jail.
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) October 2, 2018
I’m sorry if I offended anyone,but I stand by what I said.
Anyone, irrespective of their race, colour, creed , religion, gender who disrespects a woman is a monkey.
— Sasha Martinengo (@F1sasha) October 2, 2018
Twitter responded :
Read this statement and check the comments for the number of white people who are angry that Sasha Martinengo was fired for calling Julius Malema a monkey & is unapologetic about it https://t.co/FlPfU4hIye
— Kick names, take ass (@Khuze_Elikhulu) October 2, 2018