The action-packed 52-episode drama series Empini, now streaming on Showmax has found another production home.
This follows after their previous production house; Clive Morris Productions allegedly failed to make payments to the cast and crew of BET’s Queendom for three months.
The drama series set in the dangerous world of private security is jam-packed with a dream cast that includes; Siyabonga Twala, Nambitha Ben-Mazwi, Owen Sejake and Charmaine Mtinta to name a few.
Entertainment commentator, Phil Mphela recently took to his X (formerly Twitter) page to share the news. As per his reports, it is MultiChoice who replaced the production team.
BREAKING:
Clive Morris Productions Loses Empini
Multichoice has replaced the beleaguered Clive Morris Productions company as the producers of the new Showmax telenovela.
The production company had issues with finances and ended up not paying writers on Empini.
This comes… pic.twitter.com/6jCY2wwJqw
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) July 9, 2024
On the financial woes, Phil also reported that the situation has become dire for Queendom cast and crew as one of the crew members has had to have their car repossessed and some are facing eviction notices for failure to pay their rent, bills and other commitments.
He added that he has been told that some of the cast and crew had to allegedly chip in to help one of them contribute to a family member’s burial.
UPDATE:
Queendom situation dire
I have been alerted to the devastating ripple effects of the non-payment issue at the new BET telenovela.
The show’s staff is fuming. Sources have informed me that it has been almost 3 months of not getting paid salaries for their work on the… pic.twitter.com/DCH6jBolOx
— Kgopolo (@PhilMphela) July 8, 2024
The all-star cast includes; Sindi Dlathu, Hamilton Dlamini, Dawn Thandeka King and Linda Mtoba.
Addressing the non-payment then, Clive Morris texted on their WhatsApp group and 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.
“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: Clive Morris Productions alleged not to have paid cast and crew
