The SABC said that it had fulfilled its contractual obligations to Bakwena Productions.
Image: Karen Sandison / Independent Newspapers
The SABC has requested to appear before the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, to account for issues of non-payments of its productions, after complaints arose regarding the Bakwena Productions "Pimville".
SABC 2’s latest flagship telenovela, "Pimville", has been marred by a production crisis as reports of non-payment to cast and crew surfaced.
The SABC issued a statement on Monday, announcing that it had formally cancelled the show.
The public broadcaster explained that following a thorough review process and careful consideration, "Pimville" will be discontinued from Monday night, due to unresolved contractual obligations and breaches identified and communicated formally to Bakwena Productions.
"This outcome is deeply regrettable, particularly considering the dedication and hard work demonstrated by the cast, crew, as well as the unwavering support received from audiences, partners, and all stakeholders who contributed to the programme’s success," read the statement.
Initially, after the news of non-payment first arose, the SABC had said that it had fulfilled its contractual obligations to Bakwena Productions.
The "Pimville" debacle resulted in the suspensions of SABC head of content, Lala Tuku, along with executives Nirvana Singh and Reatlegile “Ree” Mampa.
The cast of Pimville, Gail Mabalane, Matli Mohapeloa, Thapelo Mokoena, Keke Mphuthi, Mondli Makhoba, Michelle Mosalakae, Fulu Modibedi, Clementine Mosimane, Jesse Suntele, Eve Rasimeni, Sipho Ndlovu, Mandla Gaduka, Thabo Malema, Charmaine Mtinta, and Lillian Dube.
Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspapers
Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies committee member, Tsholofelo Bodlani from the DA, had written a letter to the chairperson requesting that “the SABC appear before the committee before the end of this term (June 29, 2026), to provide clarity on this matter and avoid further reputational damage to the SABC”.
“The Democratic Alliance has important questions for the SABC, including: the status of the relationship between SABC and Bakwena; the facts and details about payments made to date; and an update by the SABC on the suspended officials, allegedly linked to this matter.”
During Tuesday’s committee meeting, which was focused on the withdrawal of the AI Policy and consequence management, Chairperson Khusela Sangoni-Diko said that she had received the letter and had contacted the national broadcaster.
“We have received correspondence from you, Honourable Bodlani, which I've requested that it be acknowledged… We did write back to you to say that, as early as last week, Thursday or Friday, we had dispatched correspondence to SABC on the same matter.
“It was a set of detailed questions that were asking them, because this issue has not arisen only on the ‘Pimville’ series, but there had been one or two others that had been brought to our attention,” Sangoni-Diko said.
“I've asked the (portfolio committee) secretariat to write back to you and to copy you on the letter that we've written to the SABC, and also to indicate that, given the fact that this seems to be a recurring problem, we will then action your request that they appear in person to respond to those issues.”
Sangoni-Diko said that they made it clear to the SABC that they would be expected to give an account to the committee in person, “rather than sending us a letter back”.