While alleged sexual harassment is described as "a real problem" within SuperSport according to insiders, Robert Marawa was not fired by SuperSport this past week because he tried to stand up for staffers but because SuperSport allegedly got rid of him to appease South African football bosses who don't like his coverage.
SuperSport abruptly fired the veteran sports broadcaster this week as the face of Thursday Night Live with Marawa on SuperSport 4 (DStv 204) who was missing in action from his sports commentary show on Thursday night.
Co-host Thato Moeng anchored the show on her own and repeatedly kept saying it's "the last show" with no explanation regarding Robert Marawa's disappearance.
SuperSport said that getting rid of the veteran and beloved sports presenter is part of a refresh of its local presenters' line-up and said in a statement that "this restructure includes us not pursuing our contractual relationship with Robert Marawa".
Robert Marawa who referred to people inside SuperSport as the "mafia" in a tweet on social media alleged that he was fired due to allegations of sexual harassment within SuperSport ranks that he spoke up about.
SuperSport didn't respond to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus in the week seeking comment about these allegations.
On Friday SuperSport was asked in a media enquiry for its response to allegations about a TV director sexually harassing women, whether SuperSport is investigating these claims, why specifically Robert Marawa was fired and when SuperSport will announce which other on-air talent will no longer be working for SuperSport. SuperSport's spokesperson Clinton van der Berg didn't respond.
Many DStv subscribers and SuperSport viewers have been reacting in anger, saying on social media that they have, are and will be cancelling their DStv subscriptions with MultiChoice.
After he was fired, Robert Marawa in a radio interview on Friday slammed SuperSport, SuperSport CEO Gideon Khobane, and broadcasting executives "who don't know the business", and asked SuperSport to be honest with the people, saying "Why lie to people?".
On Sunday City Press reported that according to insiders SuperSport CEO Gideon Khobane allegedly "was just carrying out that directive" to fire Robert Marawa in accordance with the wishes of South African football bigwigs who have taken personal offence over some of Robert Marawa's coverage and commentary on SuperSport.
"I can tell you that one of the reasons Robert’s contract was not renewed is that the sporting federations are unhappy with the way he portrays them publicly,” said a SuperSport insider quoted in the City Press report.
Another insider alleged that "sexual harassment is a real problem" at SuperSport and that Robert Marawa challenged Giden Khobane in 2018 to "take action and protect his female colleagues at the office, but instead he got angry and defensive because it involved his two henchmen".
Clinton van der Berg is quoted in the City Press article stating that sexual harassment was unrelated to SuperSport's decision to fire Robert Marawa in the week.
