'I profusely apologise': Podcast and Chill host called out for distasteful joke about missing woman
Podcast and Chill presenter Sol Phenduka has issued an apology after many called for the show to be cancelled over a joke made about Elizabeth 'Tsontso' Moselakgomo.
South Africa is currently dealing with a crisis that has left women fearing for their safety, as reports of murdered women continue to make headlines.
Against this backdrop, comments made by Solomzi Phenduka and Macgyver "MacG" Mukwevho on the latest episode of Podcast and Chill have come under fire, with many calling for the cancellation of the podcast over a joke about missing women.
In an episode of Podcast and Chill which was broadcast on Monday, MacG made a joke about the missing woman in Kempton Park. At the time murdered runner, Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’s’ Moselakgomo had been reported missing.
“You’d think the lady would keep on running,” MacG said.
In response, Sol made a joke about women going jogging and potentially being attacked.
“Sometimes you are running and someone comes from the woods, from the darkness, and then snatches you. They see numbers on your chest. Someone in the woods saw that she’s got your numbers and thought, ‘Yo, we are taking this one'."
After Sol made the comment, laughter broke out in the studio.
A clip of the conversation went viral on social media, with many people expressing their anger over the comments and asking for the podcast to be cancelled.
I honestly don’t find this funny. I’m utterly disgusted. I’m especially disappointed in Sol. As for MacG , I’m not shocked that he would make fun of the Kempton Park situation on his huge podcast. His platform was built on belittling and bullying Black women. https://t.co/q1yAmAZd02
— La-Ndlovu (@destiny_ndlovu) September 16, 2026
The backlash came after police confirmed on the same Monday that Moselakgomo was among the women who had fallen victim to a series of murders in Gauteng.
The 38-year-old had reportedly left her home to go jogging and never returned. Her eight-year-old daughter alerted her family that Moselakgomo had not come home. Her body was found in the fields over the weekend and positively identified by her family on Monday.
Following the backlash, Sol took to social media to issue an apology.
“I’m recording this video to apologise. We recorded the latest episode on Sunday, as it usually drops on Monday. At the time of the recording, there was a lady who, at the time, was missing. I made an unfortunate pun or joke. We laughed, but it’s not funny anymore because when the story developed, it was discovered that the lady’s body was found in Kempton Park,” he said.
He added: “I profusely apologise to South Africans, chillers, and the family. Making a joke about a missing person is distasteful, especially in South Africa’s context and considering the scourge of femicide.”
I'm sorry 🙏🏾 https://t.co/MvjDPTi9Ao
— Thandubuntu (@Solphendukaa) September 16, 2026
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