Eastern Cape fashion designer Thando Piliso is counting the days before his landlord locks him out of his fashion studio. This is due to him struggling to pay rent after not receiving payment from Tshedza Pictures for his work on the set of Gqeberha: The Empire.

Thando told ZiMoja that he dropped all his clients to focus on making the dress for an upcoming wedding scene at the telenovela after the production reached out to him for the final episode of season two. "They were disappointed by a Johannesburg designer and called me to help. They wanted me to rework the ugly dress, but I couldn't; I had to work on one from scratch," he said. "I did not sleep, working overnight on the dress. I spent a total of 96 hours without sleep, working on the dress." The white wedding dress is a work of art with pearl beads, a veil, and a beaded headband. "It also includes four layers of wavy trails, which cost me a lot to manufacture. The bearing alone cost me R3,500. So, I have lost out," he said.

Thando also added that he borrowed the production accessories like steamers and other dresses that they didn't use. "I came through for them, but they are so ungrateful. I have rent and staff to pay for. My landlord is waiting for my rent," he added. Thando also said that the production paid for fabric but didn't give him a deposit because they were in a rush. "They took three other dresses, which they returned saying they had not used." A furious Thando said. "I gave them a discount on everything. I negotiated down from R34 000 to R26 000, I don't like to usually put people on blast like this, but I have to, this has gone too far. They also owe the beading lady R3,600. I have been working with the beader, and we have never experienced issues." Tshedza Pictures has not responded regarding the matter. The production manager responsible for booking the designer, who is only known as Asanda, dropped the call when she was contacted for a comment.