Seasoned and award-winning producer Lebo M and his ex actress Zoe Mthiyane are embroiled in another bitter fight- barely a few months after their public spat involving their child. Zoe is fuming and has sent her former partner a letter from her lawyers, LP Mkhize Attorneys, to desist from using their child in his forthcoming reality show.
DESIST FROM USING NAME AND IMAGES
In the letter seen by Zimoja, which is also extended to Carol Bouwer Productions and Primedia, Mthiyane said they must desist using her child's name and photos without getting prior consent from her. "We are instructed by our client that Mr Morake is engaged in the filming of a new television reality show in partnership with Primedia and Carol Bouwer Productions as the producers of the show and that certain fliming activity has taken place that includes her minor child, (name withheld).Inconsideration of the foregoing, prior consent has not been sought or obtained from our client for the filming of the minor child by Mr Morake, or Primedia and Carol Bouwer Productions. Under the circumstances, any filming that has taken place which includes (name of child withheld) has taken place in the absence of consent from our client and may be unlawful."
SAFEGUARDING HER PRIVATE LIFE
Mthiyane has given the producers until today for them provide her lawyers with a written undertaking or written confirmation that the offending scenes will be so removed from the show. Mthiyane's lawyers said Primedia and Carol Bouwer Productions must refrain from publishing and/or broadcasting the production or portions thereof where Mr Morake and any other cast member, refer to her by name.The letter further reads, "Primedia and Carol Bouwer Productions refrains from publishing/broadcasting the production or portions thereof where Mr Morake and any other cast member portrays her negatively or in any manner whatsoever. Our client has no intention to interfere with the production unnecessarily and in the circumstances, she is open to exploring any reasonable method of excluding any reference to her by name by Mr Morake and any other cast member and any reference to her by Mr Morake and any other cast member, including but not limited to the complete removal of those scenes and or the censoring of those scenes already filmed."This is in order to safeguard our client's private life as well as her personal information and that of her minor child which may not be used for public entertainment and commercial gain by Mr Morake or Primedia and Carol Bouwer Productions."
DEALING WITH IT LEGALLY
In closing, the letter also states:" We are instructed further to advise that our client's principal intention is to protect her privacy and her dignity and to restrict any harmful or negative use of her name. In this regard she has engaged our offices." Lebo M, who is currently on tour abroad could not be reached for comment but his wife Pretty Samuels said she has not not personally received the letter but her husband is dealing with the matter legally. "I don't have such letter. Anything related to Zoe Mthiyane, the child's father is consulting with his legal team and will revert to Zoe's legal letter." Carol Bouwer said she couldn't comment as her lawyers are dealing with it.
