DJ Finzo Fired From Lesedi FM for Taking a Bribe for Airplay, SA Reacts: “Why Was He Not Arrested?”

• Lesedi FM dismissed DJ Finzo for accepting payola from Free State musicians who wanted their songs played on the station
• DJ Finzo denied he received payola from the musicians and accused Lesedi FM programmes manager of plotting against him
• When netizens discovered the amount that got DJ Finzo fired, they criticised him and made jokes about his height

Popular radio personality and music compiler DJ Finzo was fired by Lesedi FM for allegedly taking bribes from Free State musicians.

DJ Finzo fired for accepting bribe

Sunday World reports that the popular media personality, born Phinel Sefatsa, was shown the exit by Lesedi FM programmes manager Mannini Nyokong sometime last week after allegedly admitting to receiving money from Free State duo Geshlido.

Speaking to Sunday World, DJ Finzo denied taking a bribe from the Bothaville group. He explained that he received R5,000 for a performance at their event in 2023.

Read also

DJ Black Coffee discusses his failed marriage: "I think I modelled marriage my own way"

“I was never fired for taking payola, as that money those guys gave me was for me to play at their gig. This happened in 2023, and it is surprising why something that happened two years ago is surfacing now,” he said.

DJ Finzo confirmed that he sat down with Lesedi FM programmes manager and Geshlido after the music group approached the SABC station, asking why their music was not being played when they’d paid him.

During the meeting, DJ Finzo had stressed to Mannini that he didn’t take a bribe. He accused the Lesedi FM programmes manager of conspiring with another music compiler to have him fired from the station.

“The same Mannini worked with the other music compiler, who is also a radio presenter at the station, to pin this whole thing on me, so that I could be fired. DJ Lovers is a friend of Geshlido, and he worked with Mannini to get rid of me,” he told the publication.

Read also

Papa Penny puts Prince Mashele on blast for mocking his lack of educational qualifications

Mzansi reacts to DJ Finzo's dismissal

When the matter was shared on X by entertainment and current affairs blog MDNNews, South Africans expressed mixed reactions. While some sympathised with DJ Finzo, others questioned his ethics and why he would risk his job for a bribe. Most of the reactions were puns on DJ Finzo’s height.

Here are some of the reactions:

@Moshe_Meso said:

“There goes his short career.”

@sanizwe responded:

“Lies have short legs. Sabotaging your career for small bribes. He thought it was a tiny transgression.”

@Zami_zo highlighted:

“But everyone commenting here is making fun of his shortness, nothing else 🤣🤣”

@JabulaniShanga2 said:

“Why was he not arrested? If allegations are proven, then it’s corruption and it’s a criminal offence.”

@AfricaMedupe claimed:

“It's been happening for years, at last.”

Fans rally behind Ba2Cada

The reaction to DJ Finzo's dismissal contrasts with the one Ba2Cada received following rumours he might be fired following his suspension.

Read also

ANC caucus leader defects to Democratic Alliance before council meeting, praises opposition's values

The radio personality returned on air after loyal fans rallied behind him after it was revealed that the radio station had suspended him for misconduct.

Following his return to the airwaves, the radio station discreetly promoted Ba2cada's breakfast show with Twasa, Thakgoha Breakfast Show.

Dineo Ranaka returns to radio

In other news, Briefly News reported that Dineo Ranaka made a return to radio after Metro FM announced her as the host of an exciting weekend slot.

The reality TV star previously hosted Metro FM's The Bridge after joining in 2017. She left the station to join Sol Phenduka at Kaya 959, but that quickly went sour. In 2024, in an interview on Newzroom Afrika, Dineo Ranaka said radio is a boys' club because it favours mostly male presenters.

Source: Briefly News