Forbes Africa says a cover depicting suspended Metro FM DJ Sibusiso Leope, aka DJ Sbu, posing with his new energy drink Mofaya is a fake
Weeks after the SABC slapped him with a suspension for promoting his locally manufactured energy drink Mofaya at the Metro Awards recently, DJ Sbu has landed himself in hot water yet again, but this time he’s ruffled feathers at Forbes Africa magazine.
According to a statement released by the publication today, the popular DJ is being accused of distributing a fabricated image of himself featuring on the cover of the magazine.
Forbes Africa Marketing Executive Sian Schlebusch told DESTINY MAN that the publication was made aware of the “fictitious cover” currently doing the rounds on social media networks, by a staff member on Friday.
“This release is to inform the public at large that the cover in question has been fabricated by Mr Leope and in no way represents or warrants an endorsement by Forbes Africa or its affiliates,” the magazine said in a statement.
The fabricated cover bares a striking resemblance to an October 2013 Forbes US cover featuring Twitter CEO Dick Costolo.
The matter was sent to our legal department to look at whether to take legal action or not. They will be in touch with one of his representatives to see if we can get that cover photo down
Schlebusch says no decision has been taken yet on how to proceed, but she says the company has sought legal advice as they seek to get the image removed from social media sites.
“The matter was sent to our legal department to look at whether to take legal action or not. They will be in touch with one of his representatives to see if we can get that cover photo down,” she says.
“There will be further communication in terms of how we will be proceeding.”
Leope could not be reached for comment at the time of going to print.
Meanwhile, Times Live reports that the SABC has conducted an audit to determine how much airtime Leope has used to promote his energy drink and they could make him pay back thousands for misspent airtime.
“They pulled out all the tapes of the shows he had done for review to tally every mention he’d made of his energy drink. They consider it to be advertising, it must be paid for,” a source was quoted telling the newspaper.
Leope reportedly told the newspaper that he respected the public broadcaster’s decision and that he would comply with the process, but he said other DJ’s at the radio station should be equally scrutinised.
Picture credit:sowetanlive.co.za
