DJ Sbu in hot water with Forbes

DJ Sbu Leope has landed himself into deep water with Forbes magazine over claims that the star posted a doctored image of himself on the cover of Forbes and shared it on his social media profiles.

Times Live reported that the star has now threatened the publication with legal action, on the grounds that their claims are defamatory.

This happened after Forbes magazine announced an investigation and planned to take legal action against the DJ after his image holding his new energy drink appeared on the cover of the magazine.

Leope said in a statement that the magazine cover was not created by him and that he saw it on his social media platforms and decided to share it.  

He said in the statement: "I was honoured that someone would go to the trouble of creating such an image. I thought it was so cool so I re-tweeted it. I never thought that Forbes Africa or anyone else would react so negatively to it …We would think that an organisation such as Forbes Africa would know that publishing such false and damaging accusations against prominent members of the public may be considered defamatory and render them liable for damages."

Chris Bishop, managing director of Forbes Africa on the other hand has said that his legal team was working on the Sbu issue during a radio interview.

"The Forbes Africa cover is our crown jewel; our trademark. We guard our cover jealously. People spend their whole lifetimes to get on that cover, and then to see it all over social media with a bogus cover is disheartening," he said

Leope has come under fire for his promotion of his energy drink, which he also punted at the Metro FM Awards. The doctored cover is still on the DJ’s Facebook page.

Leope was also recently suspended by SABC and had to appear at a hearing for defying orders to not market anything either than official sponsors.

According to a report, there was an audit conducted to ascertain how many times Leope mentioned his product during his radio show. The SABC is expected to bill the star for the misuse of airtime to promote his product.