The announcement that Bakwena Productions will produce the SABC's new telenovela "Pimville" has intensified the ongoing conflict between the production company and the South African Background Actors Guild (SABAG).

The series is set to replace the long-running "Muvhango", but the move has raised significant concerns regarding the production house's past professional conduct.

The SABAG chairperson, Louis Setabole, expressed his disappointment in an open letter to the SABC. He criticised their collaboration with Bakwena Productions, citing the production company's alleged history of "questionable business practices".

Setabole's letter highlighted mounting frustrations, particularly their alleged failure to meet financial obligations towards cast and crew.

"Our concerns arise from Bakwena Productions’ history of questionable business practices, particularly their failure to fulfil financial obligations to cast, crew and background actors," read the letter posted on Facebook.

SABAG alleged that Bakwena Productions, who produced the series "Pound 4 Pound" in 2024, failed to make timely payments to the background actors who worked on the show.

Bakwena Productions are also responsible for productions like Netflix's "Losing Lerato", "Losing Lerato 2", Showmax's "Thando" and "Ingoma - The Song".

“Payments were only processed three months after the project concluded, and even then, some individuals received only partial payment. To this day, background actors remain unpaid, despite multiple attempts to resolve the issue. SABAG holds detailed records verifying these claims," it added.

SABAG stated that when they confronted the production company about these delays, Bakwena Productions responded with "hostility and accusations instead of offering a reasonable explanation or an apology".

“This matter has been publicly addressed, and it is deeply concerning that the SABC would choose to commission work from a company with such a track record of unprofessionalism and financial neglect.

“Given these circumstances, SABAG demands answers and guarantees from the SABC regarding its collaboration with Bakwena.”

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SABAG slams Bakwena Productions for alleged financial fumbles amid telenovela launch