Star Radio evicted in Plantation House
One of the country’s private radio stations, Star Radio is currently sailing through troubled financial waters with latest being chased out of building it rented in Blantyre for failing to pay monthly rentals.
Star Radio employees had a rude awakening on Thursday when Knight Frank officials stormed the station’s offices on fourth floor of Plantation house, a building close to Chayamba building in down town Blantyre demanding its management to sort out its rental balances or vacate the building with immediate effect.
After hours trying to reason with the landlord, the station failed to honour its debt, which is in million of kwachas and was forced to vacate the building.
Nyasa Timesvisit to the building on Saturday morning find out that the radio station’s offices were sealed off and guards on duty from Chiloni Security were mum on what had happened.
But our sources within station disclosed that currently the radio is operating direct from its transmitters at Mpingwe in Limbe until it finds offices to operate from.
“We were just told on Thursday that we should not report for work starting Friday until they find new offices. The reason of our moving was not given but it was learnt that we have been forced out of the building because of not paying rent.
“I can say it was clear that things are not working at the station because the radio was not making money and I knew it will be soon enough before the landlord pounces on us for not paying rent,” said one of our sources.
Star Radio was, years ago, vacated from Agma building in Maselema for failing to pay rent.
The station is only private radio station that pays its employees meagre salaries with a presenter getting a minimum wage of K5, 000 a month.
Recently there was drama as one of the presenters, Mzathu Mkharika, who resigned confronted the management for playing hide and seek games on her two months’ salary.
Star Radio FM accountant Victoria Damalekani, who also acts as an administrator, Public
Relations Officer and Human Resource manageress. threatened Mkharika by engaging security guards not to allow her at the premises.
Damalekani later reported the matter to Blantyre Unit Police claiming the Mkharika was harassing her.
Later both parties resolved the matter and Star Radio FM acting Chief Executive Officer Kajoola confirmed about Mzathu’s issue but was quick to point out that she was paid all her dues together with the rest of the workers.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
