Renowned filmmaker and producer Duma Ndlovu is not only in trouble with the law but also with his old friend, Sello "Chicco" Twala. Last month, Twala locked the gates at a property used as a location for the Brothers' Keeper telenovela after Ndlovu allegedly failed to pay rent and electricity for five months.

NO CASH, NO ACCESS 

Twala, who rented his mansion in Zuurbekom to Ndlovu's production company, became frustrated after he was not paid thousands of Rand by Ndlovu. Ndlovu's personal and business bank accounts were reportedly frozen late last year after he was arrested by the Hawks and charged with tax evasion amounting to R25 million. He is currently out on bail with his two accountants as co-accused. Ndlovu lost all his shows from Multichoice after his arrest. My Brother's Keeper and Umkhokha: The Curse were canned on Mzansi Magic, while Mzansi Wethu is also showing its last episodes of Sibongile & The Dlaminis. A source told ZiMoja that when Twala called Ndlovu to demand his payments, the filmmaker ignored his calls. "Chicco went to lock the gates just to make sure he gets his payment. When we arrived with the production team and the actors at the site, the security guard told us that Chicco must tell us that there won't be any work for the day until Duma Ndlovu pays what he owed him," said the source. 

TOOLS DOWN 

Another informant who witnessed the incident where the popular actors had to sit in their cars said that for a moment, they thought it was a joke until they waited for a couple of hours. "We were told to wait while our boss was scrambling to pay Chicco. Later on, we were told in hushed tones from the senior executives that Duma had asked a friend to transfer money to Chicco so that we could continue working," added the source. Ndlovu and Twala have worked together in many productions where Twala produced the soundtrack for Ndlovu's TV dramas. Twala produced the theme song for Ndlovu in Muvhango and lately on Sibongile & The Dlaminis, as well as My Brother's Keeper. Twala is also responsible for the theme song of the controversial drama series Modjadji, which aired on Mzansi Magic. When called for comment, My Brothers Keeper producer Phumla Hopa refused to comment on the matter. "I don't know what you're talking about, and I am going to end this call now," she said. Twala said he was not aware of the drama because he does not deal with clients directly. "This is news to me. Besides, there is an agency that deals with such, so I wouldn't know," he said.