Actors and crew are up in arms with annoyance following the alleged second non-payment by Clive Morris Production while he is reported to be travelling the world.
In April, Zimoja reported that the cast and crew of Queendom with a dream cast that includes Sindi Dlathu, Linda Mtoba and Hamilton Dlamini have not been paid. The issue has now extended to the newly released Showmax drama, Empini which stars Siyabonga Twala and Nambitha Ben-Mazwi.
Speaking to the publication, two frustrated staff members said: “Imagine watching yourself on screen while broke. “Clive was in Greece, Spain and now in Israel with his family. Zero consideration for what our families are going through.
“In April, we ended up getting paid late and we were up to our necks broke in debt by the time we received the money; debit orders were late, insurance, life covers, etc,” said the staff.
While an actor in one of the productions said: “We would understand if we had other streams of income, but how do we do that when we are always on set, and by the time go home we are exhausted.”
The publication reported that they had seen a WhatsApp group chat that was allegedly sent by Clive that said: “I understand that everyone is angry, and deservedly so. We have let you down and whatever the reason, doesn’t help to put things right or make you feel better. I am happy to take it on the chin and accept the rocks thrown at me.
“What I can tell you is that we are not sitting on the money and deciding not to pay people, we are actively working non-stop to get the funding to pay everyone.
He went on to say they are looking for the funds to pay staff. “We may have paid late in the past for various reasons out of our control, but we have never not paid anyone. Everyone will be paid, and we are asking for a little breathing room so we can focus on finding the funds as quickly as possible,” Clive texted.
Also see: Linda Mtoba speaks on her character in BET series Queendom
