Sol Phenduka Suspended from Kaya FM Amidst Legal Fallout

August 22, 2025| Desk: Entertainment | News | South Africa

Radio host Sol Phenduka suspended by Kaya FM amid a Minnie Dlamini lawsuit. Inside details, reactions, and what’s next for his future at the station.

Johannesburg: The world of South African radio is no stranger to controversy, but the recent news of popular broadcaster and podcaster Sol Phenduka‘s suspension from Kaya FM has sent a different kind of shockwave through the industry.

Listeners of Kaya FM were caught by surprise this week after the station confirmed that popular host and podcaster Sol Phenduka has been placed on immediate suspension.

Kaya 959’s official statement was a model of corporate caution: an “immediate suspension” pending an “internal process.” It was a classic, by-the-book move designed to contain the situation.

Phenduka later addressed the matter on Podcast and Chill, telling co-host MacG that management instructed him to remain silent about the situation. He revealed that the Minnie Dlamini legal case was the reason behind his disciplinary action, calling it “an old story, but obviously you’ve brought the station into disrepute.”

Since joining Kaya 959 in 2022, Phenduka has been part of the station’s refreshed breakfast lineup, working alongside Dineo Ranaka (before her departure), Sizwe Dhlomo, Mpho Maboi, and Mfundo Mabalane. His outspoken style has earned him both fans and critics.

This isn’t his first brush with controversy. Back in 2015, while at 5FM, he was suspended for making insensitive comments about the Van Breda family tragedy. The incident drew sharp criticism but did not derail his career.

The announcement has been a trending topic across X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram, with mixed reactions from fans and critics.

Some praised the suspension as overdue:

“Sol Phenduka being off Kaya FM is the best news this year… He disrespected Minnie Dlamini… zero respect for women.” — X

Others defended him, questioning the fairness of the decision:

On TikTok, clips of Phenduka speaking on Podcast and Chill quickly went viral, with thousands of users debating whether Kaya FM bowed to public pressure or acted to protect its brand.

“We were not listening to Kaya Fm, it was Sol Phenduka who made us tune in, until then BYE.”

“We will know the truth tomorrow 15h10 🤣🤣🤣🤣” (referencing the upcoming podcast episode)

“I’m suspended from listening to Kaya , I love Sol ❤️❤️❤️we behind you Solomzi 🥰🥰🥰”

“Bye Kaya FM Hi 94.7 I don’t play like that 🤣I haven’t listened to metro FM since DJ fresh was fired.”

This outpouring of support underscores a key shift in media consumption. Audiences are no longer loyal to a station or a network; they are loyal to the personalities they connect with. For Kaya FM, the risk is not just losing a presenter but losing the very audience that presenter brought with them. The question on everyone’s mind is whether this “seven-day suspension” is just the beginning of the end for Sol Phenduka’s time at the station, as some industry insiders and his own co-host have speculated.

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