Neels van Jaarsveld’s career took a hit last week when he cancelled a performance in Hazyview at the last minute.

The actor was booked for a performance at the Mpumalanga Women’s Agricultural Union gala dinner, but angered organisers when he sent an SMS to inform them he would not be attending.

A spokesperson for WAU admitted the organisation’s frustration at the cancellation despite van Jaarsveld confirming his appearance 24 hours prior.

“His plane landed at 12:00 and I was there to pick him up,” Shand told Beeld.

“At 12:17 I received an SMS that said a family member is ill and in hospital, he can’t attend the function. This after confirming his presence in an e-mail on Tuesday.”

President of WAU, Mandie Steenkamp, was equally angered by the situation.

“Does he really think the WAU is so simple and inferior that he can dismiss us with an SMS?” Steenkamp said.

“We will never invite him again and regret wanting to present him with a certificate. People should know he is unreliable.”

What do you make of the situation?