News team stunned by F-word

Johannesburg – The news team at Talk Radio 702 said they were too shocked to react to the on-air rant by newsreader Mark Esterhuysen.

According to Eyewitness News editor-in chief, Katy Katopodis, the controller, producer and call screener all froze for some time before cutting off Esterhuysen, who by then had managed to use the F-word about four times.

A longer 41-second clip could be heard on social networks, in which the 23-year-old used the F-word 13 times in a general rant slamming racism, capitalism, fascism, ANCYL president Julius Malema, the state, amongst others, as well as promoting his blog and social media platforms.

Katopodis said that the news controller responded as quickly as possible under the circumstances.  

Security

Katopodis told Beeld that security guards escorted Esterhuysen out of the building after his rant as they were unsure of what he would say next.

She said she was truly worried about his mental state and said it was not normal that someone lost control like that over the radio.

Esterhuysen responded on Twitter saying he had no regrets about what he had done. 

His contract with 702 was terminated immediately following the rant. He had been working at the station since May and was previously a news presenter on Pretoria University’s radio station, Tuks FM.