Loyal fans have rallied behind self-confessed joller Katlego Maboe, flooding the Expresso Morning Show live feed with messages of support with the hashtag #BringBackKatlego.
An online petition to resinstate the TV presenter was also started yesterday, quickly garnering over 40 000 signatures.
Kat, 33, was suspended by Expresso while OUTsurance also removed his TV adverts after a video went viral last week, in which he admits to jolling behind his partner Monique Muller’s back.
In the video, Monique accuses him of giving her vuilsiek, which she said jeopardised her chances of having a second child.
The couple, who has since split up, has one child together.
In the video, Monique gives him an ultimatum: “You either protect this person or you’re gonna walk away from your family, your son.”
Kat then admits to sleeping with a woman named Nikita Murray, believed to be an OUTsurance employee.
Expresso said Katlego was dropped pending an investigation of alleged abuse by Muller.
In an interview with GoBinge, Monique said their problems started when he allegedly told her he was starting to feel “smothered” and moered her: “When the first physical attack happened I got a protection order against him.”
#Katlegomaboe estranged partner Monique Muller opens up for the first time - Full interview dropping soon on YouTube #MoniqueSpeaks #BingeNews pic.twitter.com/XJb3UCjawZ
— GoBinge (@GoBinge_) October 24, 2020
Katlego has denied ever lifting his hands to her, and in a statement said: “In light of the comments made against me, I would like to state that I have never abused my partner.”
Monday morning, Expresso posted a picture of the presenters, without Katlego, on social media with the caption: “Starting the week with these clean looks!”
Although it seems they were only referring to the clothing sponsor of the show, fan Adrian Julius took umbrage and said: “so what are they saying KAT is now too vuil?”
Kat fans flooded the show’s live feed, with messages of support.
Among the comments was Sebastian Sebbi Petersen who wrote: “Thank God I don’t like SABC and don’t pay TV licence!!! Go and investigate all your staff and you will see how many are jolling with each other on that set!”
And Jacqueline Jan Adoons wrote: “I left the show, I miss Katlego’s enthusiasm. #BringBackKatlego”
An online petition aiming at 50 000 signatures climbed to 44 000 by Monday night.
The petition was started by Lindy KaMahlobo on Change.Org, who urged Expresso and Outsurance to reinstate Katlego.
The reason for the petition reads: “Katlego Maboe: is he not allowed to have a personal life?
“If Outsurance doesn’t bring Katlego back, this petition will be signed by South Africans to boycott Outsurance until you bring the poor guy back on our screens again.
“This young man deserves a chance because he was not drunk, abusing any woman or taking drugs in the eyes of the public.
“Only his angry partner needs to heal from whatever she is suffering from.”