Duma Ndlovu, the creator of the popular SABC soapie Muvhango is fast gaining the tag of the bad payer. In recent months, Ndlovu and his production company, Word of Mouth, made the headlines for not paying his actors and staff members on time. Once again, the actors and crew at the soapie are frustrated as they have not been paid apparently since September just before they went on a production break.

SENT FROM PILLAR TO POST

A source close to the production told ZiMoja that some cast and crew members are on the verge of losing their cars and homes because of the non-payment."We have been on a production break since September and have still not been paid our salaries from before we went on a break. We are not getting any answers, which shows that we work like slaves at the hands of someone respected in the showbiz industry," the source said. Another actor who spoke on condition of anonymity said that it looks like they are going to have a bleak Christmas. "We live in fear of losing our cars and homes since our banks consider us as bad payers. If no one is saying anything now from the producers of Muvhango, we may not get our December salaries too," said the source. Some of the top actors on Muvhango who made the soapie popular, like Sindi Dlathu, have since left for greener pastures like Mzansi Magic's The River. Last year, the cast and crew of the soapie downed tools after salary delays. In 2019, the cast and crew were not paid their two months salaries and they were told the SABC did not have money to pay them.

THE FUTURE IS STILL UNCLEAR 

The source said some of the brilliant scriptwriters who were on Muvhango, have also left the Tshivenda soapie to work on other TV productions. 

According to another source, actors are not even aware of when they are coming back from their break."We don't know when we will shoot again, there is no straightforward answer from the top," adds the source. Muhango spokesperson Ndumi Mdletsherefused to comment on the matter. "I do not have a comment for you right now," he said.