The future of Mzansi Wethu's first telenovela, Sibongile & The Dlaminis, is hanging by a thread. According to highly placed ZiMoja sources, since production wrapped up in December for Season 2, there has not been any form of communication with the actors from the production company owned by fraud-accused filmmaker Duma Ndlovu.

MORE PROBLEMS FOR DUMA

The source told ZiMoja that production was supposed to be preparing for Season 3, but they were still left in the dark. This drama comes in the wake of another telenovela, Umkhokha: The Curse, production being canned. Umkhokha and Sibongile & The Dlaminis, as well as My Brother's Keeper, have all lost their spots on Multichoice's Mzansi Magic and Mzansi Wethu after the producer and creator Ndlovu was arrested in October last year. Ndlovu, a renowned film producer and playwright, was charged with tax evasion amounting to R25 million. The taxman said Ndlovu failed to declare personal income tax, corporate income tax, and VAT. According to sources, Multichoice is unable to give the productions new contracts as Ndlovu failed to submit a tax clearance certificate.

OTHER ACTORS HAVE MOVED ON 

The source said: "Some actors are still hoping that they will be called to start filming the soapie.' According to another source, most actors, especially lead actors, have moved on and started shooting with other productions that will replace My Brother's Keeper and Umkhokha. "People have moved on. Some experienced actors have already started shooting other upcoming shows,' added the source. According to another source, other actors have been trying to enquire about the future of the show, but they are not getting any joy. "Some actors who are in demand have accepted their fate that all soapies created by Duma Ndlovu would no longer see the light of day. Another of Ndlovu's telenovelas that faces a bleak future on SABC 2 is the almost three-decade-running soapie, Muvhango. ZiMoja covered the story last month that the SABC may not renew its contract when it lapses in July this year because of Ndlovu's tax and legal problems.

Multichoice spokesperson Irvin Pooe confirmed that Sibongile & The Dlaminis has taken a production break. Pooe could not confirm or deny if the channel will be commissioning Season 3 of the production. "Season two is still in full swing, keeping viewers glued to their screens with its twists, betrayals, and heartwarming moments,' he said.