• SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli told Parliament that a contract with Bakwena Productions was signed, but the company says that’s not true.

• Bakwena Productions is also accused of owing money to crew and service providers from a previous show, with some workers still unpaid.

SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli is being criticised after saying in a letter to Parliament that a TV deal with Bakwena Productions was signed but the company says that’s not true.

Kagiso Modupe, one of the owners of Bakwena, said: “We haven’t got the contract. We don’t know where the publication got the news that the deal has been finalised. What if we don’t get the deal because of this?”

Modupe and his business partner Rashaka Muofhe say they only pitched an idea to the SABC and no contract was signed.

To make matters worse, the company is already being criticised for not paying all the people who worked on its previous show, Pound 4 Pound.

Bakwena claims it paid everyone on 28 December, but that only applied to actors. Crew and service providers are still waiting.

Sipho Hlatshwayo, who rented out cars and drove cast members, told Sunday World: “They owe me over R140,000. I tried to ask for my money, but Rashaka was arrogant. I was shocked when they went on a podcast and claimed they had paid everyone.”

Owen Mthembu, who helped find locations, said: “I called Kagiso after seeing the podcast and asked why he lied. He got arrogant and said he’ll never work with me again.”

A guest house owner also said that Rashaka blocked them after they asked for payment.

When Sunday World asked for comment, Bakwena said the paper didn’t check its facts. But the newspaper says it tried many times to get a response and Bakwena refused.

The company also claimed to have been running for around 10 years – but official records show Bakwena Productions Media Group was only registered in August 2024. Modupe and Muofhe are listed as its only directors.

When asked about the deal, SABC spokesperson Mmoni Ngubane said: “The SABC and Bakwena Productions confirm that they are currently collaborating on a new production set to premiere on SABC2 in August 2025. As the project is still in development, both parties are not able to discuss specific details at this stage and remain focused on the creative process.”

Muofhe and Modupe did not respond to new questions. Sunday World also tried again to reach them but got no reply.

Pictured above: Nomsa Chabeli

Image source: File