Cape Town – Former Idols SA judge Unathi Nkayi has reportedly filed a lawsuit against her former employer Kaya FM for unfair dismissal and loss of income.
According to Sunday World, Unathi is seeking compensation for unpaid salary, damages, defamation, and impairment of dignity,unlawful termination, for an estimated R1.6m.
The lawsuit was filed at the Johannesburg High Court where Unathi revealed that she had signed a contract on 11 February 2020, the report said.
Her contract commenced on 1 March 2020 and was expected to run until 28 February 2023, according to The South African.
The figures involved revealed that she was supposed to earn a salary of R60 000 per month, with an increase to R81 250 in April 2021 after her weekly shift to air the midday show, the report said.
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In November 2021, Unathi was fired from the show after she had a dispute with the drive show host, Sizwe Dhlomo. Unathi had complained about Dhlomo’s constant late-coming.
According to the court papers, Unathi suffered contractual damages to the value of R1.3m due to the dismissal.
“The total sum which the defendant failed to pay over the 16-month period was R1 300 000.00 [R81 250.00 multiplied by 16]. Despite demand, the defendant has failed to pay to the plaintiff the sum of R1 300 000.00. The defendant is ordered to pay to the plaintiff the sum of R1 300 000.00,” read the papers, according to the report.
Unathi’s lawyer David Feinberg told TimesLIVE that she issued a summons against Kaya959. The summons reflected that Unathi was suing Kaya 959 for R1.3m for contractual damages, R100 000 for delictual damages, and R200 000 for the infringement of her right to dignity, which added up to R1.6m.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
