By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit:Thomas Rens.
The South African Broadcasting Co-orporation (SABC) has suspended the head of content Lala Tuku and other executives amid the payment crisis involving the telenovela Pimville.
Other executives suspended are not known yet.
The Telenovela had come to a halt following non-payment issues affecting actors, crew members and suppliers.
The SABC has launched an internal investigation to determine whether proper controls and intervention measures were followed as the crisis escalated.
When asked for comment, the public broadcaster said it is not at liberty to discuss employer-employee issues in the public domain.
Fullview learnt the SABC is trying to recover R19 million that it paid to Bakwena Productions to produce episodes of telenovela Pimville and which it is struggling to get out of the company.
Bakwena Productions is owned by actor Kagiso Modupe and the married couple Rashaka “Rush” Muofhe and Brenda Muofe.
Earlier this week, Modupe publicly distanced himself from the controversy, revealing that he too had not been paid for his role as head director on the production.
The SABC previously stated that it had honoured its contractual obligations to the production company, while alleging that the production company breached contractual terms.
In April 2025, SABC CEO Nomsa Chabeli wrote to Tsholofelo Katlego Bodlani, the DA member who is part of the portfolio committee on communications, confirming that the SABC had contracted Bakwena Productions to make Pimville.
She acknowledged awareness of the payment allegations against Bakwena Productions and gave her assurance that the SABC has appointed a supervising producer to ensure payment compliance to the cast and crew.
Chabeli admitted that the SABC decided to appoint Bakwena Productions, knowing there were problems.
Bakwena Productions is also embroiled in legal battle with Black Brain Pictures after its founder Mandla Ngcongwane, known as Mandla N., borrowed them R4.2 million in order for Bakwena to pay casts and crews.