Scorpions probe top radio DJ

2003-04-14 08:00

Mandla Zulu

Johannesburg - One of South Africa's most popular deejays, Ukhozi FM's Linda "Mr Magic" Sibiya, is being probed by the elite Scorpions unit following a string of corruption allegations involving thousands of rands.

Sibiya hosts the station's drive-time slot and commands a listenership of about two million.

The deputy director of public prosecutions, S'thembiso "Stix" Mdladla, this week told City Press they had decided to probe Sibiya following many newspaper reports in which he is alleged to have accepted bribes from music producers and artists.

At the time of going to print, the SA Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) was waiting for a report from its internal auditors, assigned to probe a recent rumour that Sibiya accepted and paid back R10 000 to a music producer whose music he allegedly promised to promote.

"Although at the moment we can't say we have a case against him, we are seeking more information. We believe that there is more to these allegations," said Mdladla.

City Press last week reported about Sibiya's alleged involvement in a dubious promotion show to encourage residents of the Ndondakusuka municipal area to pay for their municipal services.

This week an upcoming kwaito group approached City Press and alleged Sibiya took R8 000 from them after promising them they would be recorded by the Bulldawgz company.

The leader of the group Three Dimension, Sifiso Mdladla, told City Press that Sibiya promised to make them as famous as kwaito kid star Msawawa, through Bulldawgz.

Mdladla said Sibiya claimed he owned Bulldawgz. Sibiya later demanded that they make a further down-payment as Bulldawgz had demanded it.

Enraged Bulldawgz co-owner Oscar Mlangeni flatly denied any links with Sibiya, saying it was all "utter nonsense". He said the moment they could prove the allegations were actually made, they would sue Sibiya for defaming their company and/or bringing it into disrepute.

Sibiya accused City Press and this reporter in particular of having a hidden agenda concerning him.

"Why are you following me? Why do you phone Oscar (Mlangeni) instead of calling me? You have destroyed my career. If I lose this job, you will also suffer and support my family. I want to repeat, if I go down, I'll go down with you," he threatened after Mlangeni had confronted him about his (Sibiya's) posing as Bulldawgz's co-owner.

Meanwhile, pandemonium broke out in the Ndondakusuka municipal area in northern KwaZulu-Natal this week when enraged councillors and community members chased out the defiant municipal manager, Professor Musa Xulu, after accusing him of corruption.

The move to eject Xulu, said Ndondakusuka mayor Makhosonke Ntuli, was prompted by allegations that he, with the approval of the council, had given Sibiya R200 000.

- City Press