SAHRC calls for submissions on Willemse drama

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has called on former and present employees and independent contractors at SuperSport to make written submissions before the end of the month. 

The commission launched an inquiry into SuperSport last year after one of its presenters, former Springbok player Ashwin Willemse, made allegations of racism against two of his colleagues, Nick Mallett and Naas Botha.

Willemse walked off set during a live broadcast in 2018, with the commission subsequently deciding to broaden the scope of its investigation to other allegations of racial discrimination at the channel.

The commission’s Gauteng provincial manager Buang Jones says the submissions will help it to fully address the issues faced at the MultiChoice channel.

It has already received several written submissions.

"We encourage people to make their submissions and they can also make submissions through anonymous bases if they fear victimisation.

"The start of the inquiry we will be announced at the right time, but for now we are still gathering information,” Jones says. 

On Thursday, popular football presenter Robert Marawa claimed he was axed hours before his 'Thursday Night Live' was due to be on air.

Marawa took to social media and said: “I received a text around 18H50 tonight informing me that I should not bother coming to studio for Thursday Night Live with Marawa on @SuperSportTV.”

When asked by his followers for more details, Marawa replied: "One day u will ALL know. It will cost me my life, but u will know."

In a statement on Friday, SuperSport said Marawa was notified earlier in the week about the decision to not extend his contract.