Kaya FM chief executive officer Dave Tiltmann has threatened to press criminal charges against the station’s former employee Nkosinathi Tshuma after he demanded financial compensation and threatened to take his grievances to the media if he does not get his way.
Tiltmann warned Tshuma that African Media Entertainment (AME), which owns Kaya FM, could approach the South African Police Service (SAPS) if he continued with what the company viewed as threats or attempts to extract money from it.
His warning is contained in a letter sent to Tshuma on 14 July 2026 .
Tiltmann was responding to Tshuma’s email dated July 5, in which he raised a series of allegations about Kaya FM and objected to the return of former station boss Greg Maloka to the station.
Tshuma accused the station and its management of, among other things, victimisation, a toxic workplace culture and failing to properly address complaints he had raised during his employment.
He also made serious allegations against Maloka, and repeated claims of sexual abuse involving female employees
Maloka is being criminally probed by the police after his former colleague Tsholo Lethoko opened a case of sexual harassment and intimidation against him last month at Norwood Police Station. She alleged that he , among others, rubbed his foot against hers and also whispered unpleasant art remarks in her ears when she was working for United Stations, which sold advertising for Kaya FM..
Tshuma, who worked at Kaya FM for about 13 years, also detailed his own grievances, including his dismissal in September 2017 following disciplinary proceedings arising from a motor vehicle accident.
He claimed he had previously testified during an investigation by Mvezwa Forensic Investigations into allegations concerning the station.
Tshuma further claimed that he had written to the Kaya FM board raising concerns about governance and other issues at the station.
In his July 5 email, Tshuma warned that if his concerns were not addressed, he would take further action, including approaching the media, calling for the release of a forensic investigation report and demanding further investigations.
He also demanded financial compensation, saying he had suffered years of stress and financial hardship.
Tiltmann rejected the allegations directed at AME and said the issues raised by Tshuma did not fall within the company’s sphere of control.
“The issues raised in your email do not fall within AME’s sphere of control. Accordingly, your allegations levelled against AME are incorrect and misplaced,” Tiltmann said.
He took particular issue with Tshuma’s warning that he would escalate the matter if he was not “listened to once again”.
“To the extent that these threats are in any way directed at AME, please be advised that AME will have no option but to take legal action to protect its rights and interests,” Tiltmann warned.
He said Tshuma’s remedies, if he believed wrongdoing had occurred, lay with the courts rather than through threats of a media campaign.
Tiltmann also warned Tshuma over his demand for financial compensation.
“AME views any demand for payment to withhold threats or grievances as a highly serious matter that resembles extortion or blackmail,” he said.
He warned that if Tshuma persisted with his threats or attempts to extract financial compensation, AME would seek legal advice and, if advised, lodge a criminal complaint with SAPS.
“All costs incurred by AME in taking any action against you will be claimed from you,” Tiltmann said.
He advised Tshuma to consult his attorneys.
Tshuma said in his email that he had chosen to approach AME first because he respected the Kaya FM brand and did not want to take the matter to the media before giving the company an opportunity to respond.
Speaking to Africa Daily, Tshuma confirmed that he had written the letter to AME and denied that he threatened to blackmail them if they did not financially compensate him.
“ I said Kaya FM must do the right thing, not AME. I’m not retreating from these views . I was treated badly after filing a complaint after I was told that ‘ the bums of the foreign nationals smell badly’, against one of the employees ,” said Tshuma who originally hails from Zimbabawe.
