The Rock FM in brink of collapse, as ICASA shuts the door!

With almost three weeks being off-air, Lejweleputswa’s most daring community radio station is in brink of its collapse, and this time might be for good.

The station’s loyal fans are now weeping in tears, as their favourite station better known for tackling issues affecting the society has been forced to pull the plugs.

The station is the latest in the country to be hit by rolling closures of community stations by Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA.

In its issued statement, Icasa said that the reason behind the station’s closure is due to compliance, as the station failed to file its renewal license on time.

It’s not for the first time for the then ‘Lefika FM’ as previously known to dwell in pool of trouble.

In 2019, the station faced a turmoil as the regulatory body threatened to pull the plug.

With past two years since 2019 the station has failed to retain its momentum, having downgraded in its worst form after making its first stint in 2009.

Kasi Voice News reached out to one of the former founding board members, who asked to remain anonymous.

The source revealed to Kasi Voice News, that the closure of the station is related to its current board members and the management for their failure to save the station from jeopardy.

He labelled these board members as ‘incompetent’ and lacking decency to serve Lejweleputswa community.

“Things are extremely bad at that station. You can’t expect an unqualified person to be at the helm of the station. This requires experience,” source revealed.

“The worst part over this is that, the station last had the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2019 when we stepped down, imagine all this time, there’s no way that things will run properly,” added the source.

He also lambasted the station’s chairman Fusi Mahloko’s leadership qualities and adding that he is to be blamed for the station’s worst downfall.

Mahloko who was once the pastor of Love Bliss Centre, situated in Doornpan, Welkom, has yet again failed the residents of Thabong and Lejweleputswa as whole.

One of the presenters, who also asked to be anonymous said that the closure of the station has affected them emotionally, as this became a breadwinner for them.

“It’s gone, our dreams are shattered, we are seriously concerned,” said the source.

“We were told two days after the station was closed down, and the station failed to consult with us,” added the source.

“They said to us they will apply for special broadcasting license , but from look of things they have gave up,” they revealed.

“The administration hasn’t communicated with us regarding the state of our employment,” she elaborated.

“It’s sad for some colleagues of us who don’t do side hustling, is worse they are struggling at this stage, is bad,” she added.

When Kasi Voice News reached out to the station’s chairman, he failed to respond to our query, on the question imposed on where the future of presenters lies amid the crisis.