Record label boss and founder of Afrotainment, DJ Tira, real name Mthokozisi Khathi, has severed ties with his road manager, Msenzisto Shezi, amid accusations of financial impropriety and overcharging for artist bookings. The duo, with a collaborative history spanning close to ten years, faced a rupture after revelations of fund misuse surfaced.
Sources reveal that Shezi, implicated in a breach of the label’s policy against romantic entanglements with signed artists, had reportedly been in a relationship with Slenda The DJ. Label insiders express concern over this deviation from protocol.
Speaking to Sunday World, “The guy started by going against the label’s policy of not getting into romantic relationships with artists signed under the label. He was in a romantic relationship with Slenda The DJ. This was a main concern to the label bosses,” said the source.
Additionally, Shezi’s conduct raised eyebrows as he seemingly assumed an artist’s role, hosting events at Tira’s residence in Durban.
“…his behaviour was questionable as he was also acting as if he’s an artist, Tira would leave his Durban house to him and he would invite girls into his house and host parties in Tira’s absence,” an artist shared with Sunday World.
The breaking point occurred when discrepancies in financial records related to Shezi’s booked gigs caught DJ Tira’s attention, prompting decisive action. “I guess the final straw was when Tira saw that the numbers were not adding up financially with gigs he was booked at and decided to act,” said the same artist.
SHEZI IS NON-COMPLIANT WITH INVESTIGATIONS
DJ Tira started an internal investigation in an attempt to elicit clarification from Shezi, who reportedly remained uncooperative. In response, Afrotainment issued a statement confirming Shezi’s immediate departure, citing behaviour inconsistent with the label’s values.
The statement reads: “It is with great regret that we announce the departure of Mr Senzo “Msenzisto” Shezi effective immediately. Following an internal investigation, it has come to our attention that Mr Senzo has engaged in behaviour that is inconsistent with the standards and values of Afrotainment.”
“As Afrotainment, we prioritise transparency, integrity and respect in all our business practices. The behaviour exhibited by this employee is not reflective of the values that we uphold.”
In light of these developments, a new booking manager has been swiftly appointed by the record label. Attempts by Sunday World to obtain a comment from Shezi were met with resistance, leaving the story poised for updates pending his response.