enca shahan ramkissoon

eNCA journalist Shahan Ramkissoon
Photo: eNCA / TW

Watch: eNCA’s Shahan Ramkissoon reacts to Pillay’s axing [video]

Nobody enjoyed Pillay’s sacking more than Shahan Ramkissoon.

enca shahan ramkissoon

eNCA journalist Shahan Ramkissoon
Photo: eNCA / TW

Television news broadcaster, eNCA, terminated Kanthan Pillay’s contract of employment and nobody was more delighted to deliver the update to the public, than Shahan Ramkissoon.

It has been nothing but apologies and pleas for a second chance from eNCA’s news anchors, on Friday. Initially, leaked e-mail correspondence from the broadcaster’s Editor, Jeremy Maggs, hinted that all Pillay was going to get was a slap on the wrist.

However, things moved quickly and before we knew it, Pillay was sacked.

Why did eNCA fire Kanthan Pillay?

Pillay saw his career in the newsroom tumble right before his eyes moments after he referred to outgoing reporters — Samkele Maseko in particular — as rats that were leaving eNCA to join a sinking ship (referring to SABC), in a since-deleted tweet.

In response, Maseko opened a can of worms, accusing the Head of News of leading the censorship agenda against the ANC and EFF. He also exposed the suspension of Khayelihle Khumalo, who was attacked in an e-mail for live-tweeting the ongoings of the EFF Second National People’s Assembly from his personal account.

Seeing how bad the publicity was affecting their online following, as well as their share price, eNCA — shortly after forcing Pillay to issue a public apology to Maseko and SABC — relieved the embattled news director of his duties.

No one enjoyed Pillay’s sacking more than Ramkissoon

Khumalo, who was due to appear before eNCA’s executives for a disciplinary hearing, was reinstated to his position.

Things returned to their jovial state at the broadcaster’s headquarters but nobody was more pleased to hear about Pillay’s axing than Ramkissoon was.

Before getting on with the latest headlines, the news anchor saw it fit to provide a reaction to the rumoured tyrant’s dramatic exit.

“In journalism, my independence and integrity are sacred, and if anyone messes with that directly — or indirectly — they will be challenged. No one person should have the power to tarnish my reputation,” Ramkissoon exclaimed, after applauding the channel’s decision.