Drama is brewing behind the scenes of the popular TV series Umkhokha: The Curse. While the production is still hanging by a thread since there has not been a renewal of contracts for the crew and actors, more drama is also brewing behind the scenes.

ACTORS FIRED

ZiMoja can reveal that three top actors have allegedly been sacked from the telenova. These include Msizi Njapha who plays Khulekani, his on-screen wife, Angel Zuma, who plays the part of Nomkhosi and Kwanele Mthethwa who is Nobuntu in the telenovela. Last week, the channel confirmed that Zuma was leaving the production because she got an opportunity at The Lion King, but sources close to the situation told ZiMoja that she was sacked weeks before she was meant to start work at the internationally acclaimed play in Toronto, Canada. The actors are said to have been fired because of bad behaviour at work and diva tendencies they displayeed during shoots. A reliable source said Msizi was coming late on set and some days he would appear intoxicated and delay production. "These are the same reasons why Msizi was fired from The Lion King. These were hard decisions to make for producers. They are great actors, but they had to let them go," the source said.

UNCERTAINTY

Umkhokha is currently completing Season 2 and there is still no word from Mzansi Magic whether they are renewing contracts for Season 3 or not. According to the source, Multichoice has not said anything formally to the producers and creators of the drama series. Multichoice publicist Portia Hlongwane said they were not aware of the news of actors being fired or quitting the telenovela. "Let me find out for you. But Msizi's storyline is still part of the show," said Hlongwane.