Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma exits Vuma FM amid controversy
Vuma FM has pushed back against growing speculation surrounding the abrupt exit of radio personality Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, stating her departure was not the result of dismissal but rather the end of her contractual term.
In a statement released on Monday, July 21, the station clarified that her exit followed the standard procedure for independent contractors.
“The recent decision not to renew Mrs Ngobese-Zuma’s contract is not a dismissal. It is a natural conclusion of an independent contractor’s term,” read the statement.
The station added that all presenters work under contracts reviewed annually at the discretion of management, describing it as “standard industry practice.”
Ngobese-Zuma’s sudden exit on July 15 raised eyebrows and triggered controversy, especially after claims surfaced that KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane had allegedly pushed for her removal.
An insider told Sunday World that Simelane had complained directly to the station’s leadership and threatened to cut Department of Health advertising if Ngobese-Zuma remained on air. The source alleged that she even intended to influence other provincial departments to pull their ad support.
However, Vuma FM has firmly rejected any suggestion of political pressure, stating, “Our programming and line-up changes are driven by our internal annual evaluations and audience research. Not by external influence.”
The station went on to thank Ngobese-Zuma for her five years of service, wishing her well in future ventures.
Simelane has also spoken out, calling the accusations against her baseless and untrue.
Meanwhile, Ngobese-Zuma has kept a low profile, briefly acknowledging her departure on social media and expressing gratitude to her listeners and colleagues for their unwavering support during her time at the station.