Financially strained former SABC sports presenter Walter Mokoena has allegedly been struggling to pay staff salaries at his online publication for months.
Staff members at The Joburg Post, an online news and media company Mokoena owns, told Sunday World that what hurts the most is the arrogance he displays when it is time to pay them their monthly wages.
A senior staff member who has been with the publication for more than a year said employees had been left frustrated as Mokoena kept on making empty promises.
“In 2023, I joined The Joburg Post, excited for the opportunity to contribute to the company’s growth.
“However, what started as enthusiasm soon turned into frustration and disappointment as I, along with my colleagues, experienced a series of injustices and unethical behaviour,” the employee said.
She added that in months that Mokoena would pay them, the salaries were paid late, often after debit orders had bounced and they had already defaulted on payments of accounts.
“Despite our dedicated work, Walter Mokoena failed to fulfill his obligations, consistently delaying salary payments and disregarding our concerns. His actions have not only caused financial strain but have also eroded trust and morale within the team,” the senior staff
member added.
Employees also accused Mokoena of being abrasive, arrogant and indifferent when staff raised workplace issues that concerned them.
“Despite legal recourse and promises of payment, he has failed to honour his commitments, displaying a blatant disregard for justice and decency,” another staff said.
Another source close to the businessman has revealed that Mokoena has been facing financial difficulties since his second divorce from former President Jacob Zuma’s daughter Nosizwe Vuso last year.
The businessman is said to be living from hand to mouth as his social media app, MySportsBook, has failed to take off.
The source added that Mokoena’s finances had taken a knock since he was dropped as the special advisor to former minister of sports, arts and culture Nathi Mthethwa.
“Walter is broke. He lost his job as the adviser to the minister and he is no longer a sports agent. His divorce also messed him up. The money he is getting from the odd jobs is not enough at all,” the source said.
Mokoena declined to comment, saying “ I won’t comment as the matter would be determined in our court”.
