IT HASN’T even been a month yet but some Durban residents are already fed up with “controversial” radio host Phat Joe.
The DJ, who previously was suspended from a number of radio shows, recently left Metro FM for East Coast Radio and has already been accused of allegedly swearing on air and allegedly being racist and insensitive.
Listener Hayley Going, who said she’s the mum of a 13-year-old child, voiced her concern by starting an online petition. She wrote: “I petition the listeners of East Coast Radio to join me and sign the petition. Hopefully the management will sit up and realise we will not tolerate Phat Joe any longer.”
She has been using the hashtag #PhatJoeMustGo to promote the petition on Twitter while also pleading with the station to bring back Damon Beard, who was moved to the 9am to midday slot when Phat Joe took over the drive-time show. Over 2 000 listeners have signed the petition to get the DJ off the air.
The complaints against him include allegedly boasting that he took a job from a white guy, allegedly insulting Olympic gold medal winner Wayde van Niekerk’s girlfriend, allegedly making jokes about serial and jail rape, as well as allegedly referring to Caster Semenya as “him”.
Hayley said she wants 5 000 signatures to take the matter up with Mark Harris, the CEO of Kagiso Media, and East Coast Radio manager Boni Mchunu.
Among the supporters of the petition was Twitter user Lauren Kate, who said: “Sexual innuendos and swearing, but this has always been a family-friendly drive. Kids are listening at this time. Wake up!”
When the SunTeam tried to call Phat Joe he didn’t answer his phone.
Boni Mchunu said: “As a station, we are aware of a petition calling for Phat Joe to be taken off air. We are committed to being a responsible broadcaster and will respond to any complaints on an individual basis and where warranted, by merit.”