Somizi Mhlongo-Motaung has been trending all of Wednesday morning thanks to allegations that the concept of his show Dinner at Somizi was allegedly someone else's and not actually all his.
Read more: Somizi Accused Of Stealing Dinner At Somizi's Concept!
Read more: Somizi Accused Of Stealing Dinner At Somizi's Concept!
MultiChoice has confirmed that they are aware of the allegations that have been levelled against the show and have reached out to Hastings Moeng.
"When content is commissioned from producers, as in this case, MultiChoice obtains undertakings that all intellectual property rights in relation to the show have been cleared. We reached out to Mr Moeng a week ago to discuss the matter and we await his response," MultiChoice spokesperson Benedict Maaga told Sowetan.
Maaga also added that the allegations will not be affecting the airing of the remaining episodes.
"We are also engaging the show's producer. This claim will not impact on the airing of the remaining episodes of the show."
Reports emerged on Wednesday that the brain behind the show Hastings Moeng, sent an email to Somizi and Themba on July 28, 2014, proposing a cooking show Dinner Kwa Somizi.
"On 28 July 2014, Hastings Moeng proposed DinnerAtSomizis to Somizi & Themba. The description of the show is materially similar to the one now flighted (to the shock of Mr Moeng). See the 2014 email below and decide for yourself," shared Eusebius McKaiser on Twitter.
On 28 July 2014, Hastings Moeng proposed #DinnerAtSomizis to Somizi & Themba. The description of the show is materially similar to the one now flighted (to the shock of Mr Moeng). See the 2014 email below and decide for yourself. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/QVcpJIAY8o
— Eusebius McKaiser (@Eusebius) September 15, 2020
It is also alleged that on 2 September 2016 Hastings Moeng sent a treatment synopsis of the show to the producer of Somizi's current show Legend Manqele and they apparently used his concept to produce the show.
Dinner at Somizi's air on 1 Magic on Fridays's and sees the multi-talented personality interviewing some of Mzansi's hottest personalities who also happen to be his friends as well. Since its debut in July, the show has had guests such as Pearl Thusi, DJ Zinhle, Jub Jub, Lerato Kganyago, Rami Chuene, Rebecca Malope and Zahara.
Invited guest celebs indulge in some scrumptious meal prepared by the TV star, and they later sit down with Somizi to speak about topics they have never opened about.
The show’s producer Legend told the Sowetan that, "We are aware of this and have taken things through our legal team."
Somizi has not responded to the allegations and has instead a shared a video of himself jamming to Kelly Khumalo's hit single Empini with a charcoal mask on. In the video, he says that he is participating in the #Kellychallenge.
Whilst Somizi is just participating in the challenge one follower commented "talk about reading between the lines."
Image credit: DispatchLIVE
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