The Media Development and Diversity Agency of South Africa (MDDA) has issued the following statement commenting on the burning down of Karabo FM on the night of 7 September 2013.
MDDA’s statement reads: We are shocked to learn of the burning down of Karabo FM, a community radio station based in Sasolburg in the Free State province. Karabo FM broadcasts to an estimated audience of 73, 000 listeners as per the August 2013 RAMS survey. The MDDA is saddened by this incident as it has deprived the community of an essential information asset which kept the community informed and entertained at all times.
Said MDDA CEO Lumko Mtinde: “We have supported and worked with Karabo FM through our various intervention programmes. The work of the station has been critical and will continue to be critical in giving meaning and effect to Section 3 (b) (i) of the MDDA’s Act, which encourages ownership and control of and access to media by historically disadvantaged communities.
“We hope the South African Police Service (SAPS) will move speedily to investigate the cause of the fire and to encourage the community of Sasolburg and the surrounding areas to work with the SAPS and provide information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.’
