According to reports, the Advertising Standards Authority of SA (ASA) has received a complaint concerning the false advertising of prizes awarded to the winner of  MasterChef SA.

Shortly after being announced as the winner of the first ever MasterchefSA, Deena Naidoo told The Citizen that despite the fact that the show gave the impression that the winner would receive prizes “worth R8 million, including their very own restaurant”, he had in fact won prizes worth a relatively paltry R1 million, with no new restaurant in site.

M-Net were quick to respond. Seemingly speaking on Naidoo’s behalf, they claimed to have never promised a new restaurant to the winner. Included in their statement was a quote from Naidoo himself, saying: “At no point have I ever been disappointed with the arrangement I have with M-Net and Tsogo Sun.”

But the story didn’t stop there. According to 2OceansVibe, “someone” has reported M-Net to the The Advertising Standards Authority of SA (ASA) for false advertising. The News Site contacted Farzana Omar – a consultant for dispute resolution at the ASA – who confirmed that this is in fact the case. The ASA chose not to reveal the complainant’s name however, as they launch their own investigation into the claims.

“At this juncture all I can inform you about is that a complaint has been lodged against a video on YouTube as well as internet advertisement. The complainant alleges that the master chef winnings that were advertised was false. A response is expected by close of business today, after which the Directorate will consider the merits,” said Omar.

Despite not going into details, it is assumed that the complaint refers to the YouTube video at the bottom of the page, as well as a post on the DSTV website, reproduced below:

“MasterChef SA offers the most valuable prize in South African television history: R250 000 from Robertsons, a brand new Hyundai Elantra 1.6 GLS, a 7-day culinary experience in Italy and an Italian cookery course courtesy of Woolworths, a year’s supply of Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve wines and a customised sommelier course and one-on-one MasterClasses with Nederburg’s cellarmaster, as well as their very own Southern Sun restaurant at Sun Square Montecasino. The total prize value for South Africa’s first MasterChef exceeds R8 Million.”

M-Net are yet to respond to inquiries.