Man 'in trouble' with ancestors

2003-09-01 22:19

Sibanengi Dube

Johannesburg - "I promised my ancestors a cow after Thobela FM announced that I was the winner of a Renault Clio."

So says Lesiba Mohale, who was wrongly announced winner of the Rama Good Start competition by Thobela FM presenter David Lebepe.

Mohale intended selling the car and buying a cow for his ancestors.

"Now the SABC is making it look as if I lied to my dead - and living - relatives. If Lebepe made a mistake, who should pay for that?" he asked.

But the SABC just says Mohale's name was announced by mistake.

Lebepe was fired last week for alleged gross negligence.

"This is affecting me big-time. I had already told my family about it and arrangements to hold a traditional thanksgiving ceremony to our ancestors are still under way. Now SABC is offering me R5 000. I do not need that, I want my car," said Lebepe.

The SABC has refused to take the blame. It offered to compensate Mohale with a mere R5 000.

"While the SABC does not admit liability, the SABC is prepared to offer him R5 000 in full and final settlement of this matter, in an attempt to settle this matter amicably. This is the highest amount that Mr Mohale was eligible to win had he played the game he was selected to play," reads part of a letter to Mohale's attorney.

The letter was signed by the general manager of the legal department of the SABC, Esthea du Toit.

Mohale's attorney Deon Lategan said his client was suing the SABC for the car and the inconvenience caused by the mix-up.

"Everyone now thinks my client is a liar because he had already told his friends and relatives. His family has already incurred costs in preparation for a family function, only for the SABC to say my client is not a winner and should accept R5 000," said Lategan.

He said Lebepe's dismissal was a clear indication that the SABC "messed up".

Communications and media manager Marj Murray confirmed yesterday that Lesepe was fired, but declined to comment further on the matter.

Lebepe had hosted Ditla Le Meso since the programme's inception.

- Daily Sun