The Eastern Cape's biggest community radio station might find itself off air before the end of the week after several of its assets were attached by the sheriff of the high court.
According to a notice of sale in execution published in yesterday's Daily Dispatch, moveable property owned by Unitra Community Radio (UCR) FM will be auctioned on Friday to pay off a SA Revenue Service (SARS) debt.
These include a laptop, Samsung printer, six office chairs, an oil heater, 10 office desks, a four-seater couch, office table, assorted music CDs, a computer and monitor, on-air microphones, a generator, two on-air monitors and keyboards, an on-air mixer, a Telefunken flat screen and an Etell cabinet.
"In pursuance of a high court judgment on 20 October 2015 and a warrant of execution issued against moveable property pursuant thereto, the listed moveable property will be sold in execution on Friday, 22 January 2016," the notice stated.
The Dispatch reported last year that the scandal-plagued Mthatha-based station was facing an uncertain future after the sheriff of the court confiscated equipment to settle outstanding debt.
It was reported at the time that UCR owed the taxman in excess of R1-million.
Yesterday, UCR station manager Mnyamezeli Madolo reacted with shock to the latest news and said the station had paid all monies owed to the taxman.
"As far as I know, we have settled everything with SARS. This [Friday's auction] is news to me. I am hearing it for the first time," he said.
The sheriff of the court in Mthatha, Methusi Ntsikeni, confirmed that assets belonging to the station had been attached to pay off a SARS debt.
Source: Herald