SABC slams SAFA for ‘interfering comments’ on Robert Marawa

He lit up social media on Friday afternoon when he tweeted that he had received a text message telling him not to come into studio for his final show, Marawa Sports Worldwide, aired on Radio 2000 and Metro FM. 

The drama between the media personality and the public broadcaster played out almost identical to his axing from rival broadcaster SuperSport in 2019.

“So after serving the Public Broadcaster through time, I am sent yet another text from a person in an "acting" position informing me of this. Same modus operandi as SS,” he told followers on Twitter.

“What do they fear about the last Show??,” Marawa asked, sparking more curiosity about claims that he’s the target of a campaign to silence his views. 

The South African Football Association (SAFA) threw its weight behind Marawa in a statement on Tuesday, labelling the move as a setback for soccer.

“SAFA wishes to express its disapproval following the termination of Robert Marawa’s contract with the public broadcaster SABC as this will hinder football development and professional profiling of the sport,” the association wrote. 

“Robert Marawa has over the years excelled as a major contributor to the analysis, insight and debate of football on the African continent and global stage.

“It is unfortunate that as we celebrate the right to freedom of speech and diversity of opinions, the main broadcasters in the country SuperSport and SABC find that such differing and diverse opinions are not to be tolerated on their platforms.”

But the SABC hit back at SAFA on Tuesday for “interfering with operational affairs”. 

“The SABC regards this as an attempt by SAFA to interfere with the human resources and operational affairs of the public broadcaster. SAFA’s statement and its intention to meet with the SABC on this issue is unprecedented and in direct conflict with the SABC’s independence, which is guaranteed by law.

“It is quite clear that SAFA has issued a media statement without regard to the full details of the matter. The SABC reiterates that Robert Marawa's three-year contract was not terminated but ended as per the terms of his contract. Robert Marawa was duly notified of the non-renewal of his contract three months before it came to an end,” the SABC added.

The broadcaster further denied attempts to silence the vocal Marawa. 

“The SABC strongly rejects SAFA’s assertion that the non-renewal of Robert Marawa’s contract is somehow connected with an attempt to restrict the expression of his views. 

“It is disappointing that the organisation representing South African football has allowed itself to become part of the misinformation surrounding this issue.”

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