He plays one of the most popular roles on the 1 Magic telenovela, set against the backdrop of Jozi township, Alexandra. Gomora actor Khaya Mthembu is demanding his rightful fee from his former agent and the production company, after he was allegedly, unlawfully denied thousands of Rands in unpaid compensation by Obey Muchupusi of Trinity Management.

Through his legal team, Mthembu sent a letter of demand to the production company run by Ruan Zaaiman after he worked on the advert Better Bond commercial, which was reported to be reused repeatedly. Mthembu, from Empangeni, in KwaZulu-Natal, is demanding his unpaid fees through his lawyers, Abrahams & Abrahams. 

In the letter from the attorneys dated June 22, 2023, it reads, "It is our instructions that during 2018 our client performed in a Better Bond commercial which you produced. Our client advised that at the time he was represented by Trinity Management, who handled and concluded an employment agreement pertaining to the commercial on his behalf with yourselves," the letter reads. "Our further instruction is that the same commercial was reused in 2023 for internet purposes but our client was never compensated as per the terms of the 2018 agreement. As a result of the Better Bonds commercial being reused for internet purposes, our client was prevented from appearing in another financial services advertisement for obvious reasons."

Mthembu wants to be paid back his monies lost at a time he was prohibited from working on other productions. "Since our client received no compensation for the re-run of the Better Bond commercial, he suffered financial loss. We were instructed, as we hereby do, to claim all payments due to our client in terms of the 2018 agreement." A source close to the situation says Mthembu was informed during a casting that he is already appearing in another financial services advertisement.

"He was taken aback to find out at another casting that the advert he shot years ago was brought back and that means more money for him," the source said. According to the source his former agent, "forgot to tell him or send his cheque,". According to another source Mthembu is now taking the production to company to court hoping they will pay.

NO ISSUES WITH THE PRODUCTION COMPANY

According to another source close to Mthembu, he (Mthembu) has no issues with the production company, his issue is with his former agent, Trinity Management. "For the mere fact that his former manager has kept this a secret, he is now wondering what else has been kept from him by his agent," adds the source. According to the source although Mthembu does not have an issue with the production company that shot the advertisement, he has to go through this legal route to get the compensation due to him. "Many celebs are being exploited by their agents in silence," the source said.

NO COMMENT

When called for comment Mthembu refused to comment saying he doesn't discuss his business with the media. "I don't discuss my personal business with the media, kindly ask your sources to give you more information," he said. Efforts to reach Trinity Management for comment drew a blank as their number rung unanswered.