Tsholo Lethoko, the woman who opened a criminal case of sexual harassment and intimidation against former Kaya FM station manager Greg Maloka, has hit back at an online troll who accused her, without providing evidence, of fabricating the allegations to conceal her alleged incompetence.
The war of words erupted after content creator Mamogolo Wa Lona claimed on social media that police had questioned and obtained statements from employees of United Stations, where Lethoko worked as a brand manager when Maloka allegedly violated her.
United Stations sells advertising for Kaya FM.
Lethoko opened the case at the Mondeor Police Station after Maloka was rehired as executive commercial partner for United Stations by Kaya FM’s new board, chaired by Connie Molusi.
Maloka resigned from the station in 2020 after allegations of sexual harassment and financial misconduct were investigated by the previous board.
Following Mamogolo Wa Lona’s post, an account using the name Sky Walker accused Lethoko of reviving the allegations because her alleged incompetence had caught up with her.
“The allegations only resurfaced when she saw that her incompetence has caught up with her. The best years of Kaya were when Charlene Deacon then Greg Maloka were at the helm. After that it went sideways. I know because I used to work there,” Sky Walker claimed.
Lethoko, however, swiftly hit back, challenging the social media user to reveal their identity and substantiate the claims.
“Sky Walker, if you worked there then you should know better. Don’t be hiding behind a random pseudonym. Come out and state exactly who you are and when you worked there. Akere you claim to know me,” she said.
Lethoko also defended her professional track record, saying she had enjoyed a lengthy career in the media industry and had achieved significant milestones during her time at another adverts selling entity Mediamark, formerly known as Radmark.
She said she had worked closely with former Kaya FM station manager Charlene Deacon and had brought the station two of its biggest first-time sponsorships during her 10-year tenure as a business development director and Radmark board member.
“I didn’t become the first and, to date, the only black female director, board member, establish Mediamark’s sponsorship division single-handedly and youngest-ever board member at Radmark, at only 25 years of age, because I’m mucking about in this industry,” Lethoko said.
She said she had monetised numerous events and platforms for Kaya FM and other radio stations, adding that her career did not begin or end at Kaya FM.
Lethoko pointed to the AIDS Day concert at Zoo Lake and the radio reality show 2 Strangers and a Wedding as among the projects she had helped secure and execute.
She also credited her collaboration with radio personality Chriselda Kananda, saying she had introduced her to radio and Kaya FM and helped conceptualise her show at the station.
“I don’t muck around when it comes to my profession. I can proudly tell you that I’m trusted by my peers, clients and everyone I’ve worked with,” she said.
Lethoko challenged Sky Walker to bring anyone who disputed her professional abilities into the conversation to substantiate the claims.
“These are just the many accolades I have in my over 30-year career in media. So get your facts straight, dear,” she said.
Lethoko said she would not discuss the details of her criminal case publicly but warned that this should not be interpreted as an unwillingness to defend herself against attacks on her professional reputation.
“I won’t discuss my case in public, but don’t think I’m shy to take you on about my career. I’m an expert at what I do and I’m respected by my peers and clients, some of whom have commented here already, who I have worked with for over 30 years, long before Greg was in the media industry,” she said.
She accused the social media user of either not knowing her or deliberately attempting to provoke her.
“My case is a sexual harassment and intimidation case. Do yourself a favour and read. Do your own homework. Don’t be lazy,” Lethoko said.
