Chilli M, (real name Vukani Masinga) of SABC’s Ukhozi FM is facing serious allegations.
Sunday Sun has learnt he is under investigation. This after claims of payola.
The term means a bribe paid in return for airplay.
Last month, a group called Street Boyz from Alexandra in Jozi allegedly paid R7 500 to Chilli M – to get airplay and interviews.
The group claims R2 500 was deposited into Chilli M’s FNB account and R5 000 was paid to him in cash.
Sunday Sun has seen a deposit slip for R2 500 in the name of JV Masinga, the holder of an FNB account at the Melrose Arch branch. Street Boyz claims the money was so that their single, Godo Jealous, would get airplay for a month in June. Group manager, Siya Mareke, alleges he asked Chilli M how to get Street Boyz on Ukhozi FM. Siya said: “At first, he demanded R10 000. He promised to play our music on his show and give us an hour-long interview. But that never happened. He did it once – for only two seconds. Then he started ignoring our calls.”
Siya alleged Chilli M collected R5 000 at a private hospital in Kempton Park where his son had been admitted.
“He said if we showed him money, he was going to show us magic.
“He came in a pink Fiat with a woman he said was his wife. Chilli M told me to sit in the front seat and I gave him R5 000 in cash.
“I spoke to the SABC’s Forensic Department and laid a charge. I admit I paid payola, but we had tried other ways to get our song played on Ukhozi FM. But the SABC didn’t give us a replyKhetha Gwala didn’t give us a reply.
“My purpose of going to the press is not to be famous, but to alert other artists who might have been taken advantage of by Chilli M,” Siya said.
Last year Sunday Sun ran a story in which Chilli M was accused of taking R5 000 from Durban-based artist, Dalisoo Dlamini. SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago confirmed that a complaint against Chilli M was laid.
He said: “It’ll be a complaint until we’re done with our investigation.”
Kganyago said the fact that the same people who laid a complaint are now busy talking to newspapers is not helping. “It means they’re now undermining us. It’s not helping them and unfair to the person they’re complaining about,” he said.
Chilli M said: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know those people and I’ve never met them. They’re just using me.”