13/08/2026
UPDATE ON JOZI FM GOVERNANCE CRISIS — HOW IT UNFOLDED (Public Notice)
Jozi FM is at the centre of a deepening leadership and governance crisis, with the station now facing questions over its board, CEO, Acting CEO and access to its premises.
Here’s how the situation has unfolded:
DAY 1: THE GOVERNANCE BATTLE RETURNS
The latest chapter began in July, when Jozi FM board chairperson Rapitse Peter Montsho approached the Gauteng High Court challenging the authority of a rival group claiming to be the station’s legitimate directors.
Court papers filed on 10 July sought to stop the rival group from exercising board powers while the legality of their appointments is determined.
The dispute involves the Soweto Media Resource Centre, which trades as Jozi FM, with CIPC and ICASA also cited in the proceedings. (Sowetan)
JULY 16: THE DISPUTE BECOMES PUBLIC
Reports then emerged that Jozi FM was once again embroiled in a major governance fight.
At the heart of the dispute is the question of who has the lawful authority to run the community broadcaster.
Montsho argues that certain directors were unlawfully appointed, while the rival faction maintains its own position regarding the station’s governance.
The matter follows previous court battles over Jozi FM’s governance, including litigation dating back to 2025. (Sunday Times)
AUGUST 10: THE CEO IS SUSPENDED
Things took a dramatic turn on 10 August 2026.
The Jozi FM board reportedly passed Resolution BR/2026/24, suspending CEO Dr Mpho “Njomane” Mhlongo.
The board then appointed Collen Hans as Acting CEO.
Reports indicate that Hans was given responsibility for the station’s operations during the interim period. 
AUGUST 11: COLLEN HANS’ CONTRACT IS CANCELLED
Then came another major development.
A letter dated 11 August 2026, seen by Podcast, Radio & Stuff, was addressed to Collen Hans and titled:
“Cancellation of Independent Contractor Agreement.”
The letter states that Hans had entered into an independent contractor agreement with the Soweto Media Resource Centre, trading as Jozi FM, on 24 February 2025, under which he was engaged to provide services as a presenter.
The document therefore indicates that Hans’ presenter agreement was cancelled.
Importantly, the document does not, on the page we have seen, say that Hans was suspended as Acting CEO.
This creates a major question:
How can Hans be Acting CEO while his presenter contract with Jozi FM is being cancelled?
It remains unclear whether the cancellation of his presenter agreement affects his reported appointment as Acting CEO.
AUGUST 12: THE CRISIS ESCALATES
And now, the situation appears to have moved beyond the boardroom.
Reports emerging this morning allege that private security guards have prevented people from accessing the Jozi FM premises, with conflicting claims over who authorised the security presence.
One report alleges that the guards were preventing Mhlongo and Hans from accessing the station. These claims have not yet been independently verified by Podcast, Radio & Stuff.
This means Jozi FM is now facing a highly unusual situation where there are questions not only over who legally controls the station, but potentially who has physical access to its premises and authority to operate it.
SO, WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE JOZI FM?
At this stage, there are several unanswered questions:
1. Why was CEO Mpho Mhlongo suspended?
2. Why was Collen Hans appointed Acting CEO?
3. Why was Hans’ presenter contract cancelled just one day later?
4. Does the cancellation of Hans’ presenter agreement affect his position as Acting CEO?
5. Who currently has lawful authority to run Jozi FM?
6. Who authorised the reported security intervention at the station?
And perhaps the biggest question:
WHO IS ACTUALLY RUNNING JOZI FM?
For a community radio station serving Soweto and surrounding communities, this is no longer simply an internal management dispute.
It has developed into a serious governance and leadership crisis, with potential implications for the station’s operations and regulatory compliance.
