Malema joins eNCA boycott over treatment of journalist and k-word rant
- Social media is abuzz as a mass boycott against eNCA is underway
- Julius Malema and other EFF politicians have joined the movement, unfollowing the news agency
- This comes after controversial comments made by the agency's head of news
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eNCA has come under extreme fire after controversial comments made by Kanthan Pillay.
Following the allegedly questionable circumstances surrounding Samkele Maseko's dismissal from the company, Pillay took to social media to say:
"Rats swimming towards a sinking ship."
READ ALSO: eNCA withdraws from EFF elective conference in solidarity with media houses
While the demeaning reference towards the well-known journalist incited rage, the following comment resulted in a widespread boycott of the agency:
"Can we stop this fearful use of 'the K-word'? The word is k****r and means infidel. K****r, n****r, Voldemort. Words acquire power when you are afraid to use it. Arthur Mafokate wrote a song called 'K****r Boy'. Should we call it 'K word boy'? I'm a k****r and proud of it."
Economic Freedom Fighter leader Julius Malema and deputy president Floyd Shivambu have joined in the boycott, which has seen citizens both unfollowing the agency on social media and also blocking the channel from their DStv packages.
EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi questioned the SA National Editors Forum on Pillay's political links:
"Has SAEditorsForum (SANEF) said anything yet about how purple cow took over eNCA and their treatment of Samkele Maseko?"
DJ Fresh has voiced his opinion on the matter, claiming the Kanthan Pillay's involvement at YFM was the reason behind his sudden departure:
"His becoming hands-on at YFM was the reason I jumped ship. and why it was so easy to leave! He is not a nice person at all."
This was in response to Samkele Maseko detailing how he was stripped of his position at eNCA:
"Do you want me to speak about how you threw me out of the eNCA building like a dog who stolen something? How you came to my desk and said I should pack my sh*t and follow you to HR. You are heartless and unethical. Denying some a chance to serve a notice period."
In the wake of the fallout surrounding his controversial comments, Pillay has deactivated his social media accounts.
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Source: Briefly News
