Actors are crew are up to their necks with frustration after not being paid again by Clive Morris Productions while he allegedly gallivants overseas.

NOT PAID

In April, ZiMoja reported that the cast and crew of Queendom starring Linda Mtoba, Samkelo Ndlovu, Hamilton Dlamini, Siyabonga Twala and Sindi Dlathu had not been paid as well as the cast and crew of the new Showmax drama. Empini. "Imagine watching yourself on screen while broke," two furious staff members said, adding that, "Clive was in Greece, Spain and now he is in Israel with his family. Zero consideration about what our families are going through," the staff said. "In April, we ended up getting paid very late and we were up to our necks in debt by the time we received the money; debit orders late, insurance, life covers etc." An actor in one of the productions said, "We would understand If we had other streams of income, but how do we do that when we are always on set, and by the time we go home, we are exhausted?"

LOOKING FOR FUNDS

In a text message seen by ZiMoja, sent to the WhatsApp group chat allegedly ran by Clive, he wrote, "I understand that everyone is angry, and deservedly so. We have let you down and whatever the reason, doesn't help to put things right or make you feel better. I am happy to take it on the chin and accept the rocks thrown at me,' Clive said. "What I can tell you is that we are not sitting on the money and deciding not to pay people, we are actively working non-stop to get the funding to pay everyone.' He went on to say they are looking for the funds to pay staff. "We may have paid late in the past for various reasons out of our control, but we have never not paid anyone. Everyone will be paid, and we are asking for a little breathing room so we can focus on finding the funds as quickly as possible.'

MONEY MATTERS

ZiMoja contacted Monde Twala, Senior Vice President & GM - Paramount Africa & Lead BET International, where Queendom is currently broadcasting and he said, "BET has recently been made aware of Clive Morris Productions' delayed payments to the cast and crew of Queendom. We have engaged Clive Morris Productions to mitigate delayed payments to the esteemed cast and crew, and swiftly resolve this matter." Executive producer at CMP, Khayelihle Dominique Gumede, has apparently been booked off sick but previously explained to ZiMoja that their money matters were being resolved. "It's a cost timing issue but the production needs to just match expenses. We are in conversation with the client, and we are trying to communicate robustly. But there is also a sense that one is resolving the problem as easily as possible," said Khayelihle. Before this, Clive Morris Productions received backlash for delayed payments on The Estate and Isono during the December holiday season. Clive could not be reached for further comment on the matter.