POPULAR SABC2 soapie Muvhango is rumoured to be in a financial crisis, and some actors allege that their jobs are on the line.

This after its production company, Word Of Mouth Pictures, was said to have been swindled out of more than R4,5 million.

Sources within the soapie allege no one is taking the fall for the lost money.

One insider said: “We don’t know when the money disappeared or into which account. But this whole situation will make innocent people suffer if actors don’t get paid. Logistics are hanging in the balance.”


Another source said: “I think we’ve had problems in the past. But this one is the worst because people could be left jobless.

“Someone was driven by greed and it’s unfair. Duma Ka Ndlovu and other producers from Word Of Mouth have been having back-to-back meetings.

“They’ve been trying to come up with a plan to get extra cash to pay workers. But if they fail, they’ll have no choice but to let actors go.”

A third worried source said: “Don’t be surprised if you see actors resigning because they’re not getting paid. This is unfair.”

Last month, it was reported that actress Phindile Gwala, who played bubbly character Nonny on the soapie, had resigned.

A year ago the SunTeam reported that senior actors including Sindi Dlathu (Thandaza Mokoena), Dingaan Mokebe ka Khumalo (James Motsamai), Cynthia Shange (MaNkosi), and Senzokuhle Radebe (Sthembiso Gumede), were allegedly unhappy.

A group of cast members claimed some actors had been on strike for three months.

But last week, the soapie’s publicist and Word of Mouth PR manager Amanda Ngudle allayed fears that people would lose their jobs, and dismissed the negative rumours.

She told the People’s Paper that rumours and fears of job losses at Word of Mouth Pictures, were ill-founded.

Said Amanda: “A forensic investigation has led to the suspension of an accounts employee at Word Of Mouth Pictures and investigations are continuing.”

Amanda issued a statement that the company has managed to identify and stop the abuse, hence the suspension of the employee.

“There shall be no job losses.”

“In fact, we have just signed new contracts with all employees, with the exception of Phindile Gwala, who resigned last month.”






- Sunday Sun