Mzansi's number one soapie Uzalo thought it would be smiling back into production this week but they were stopped right in their tracks.
Uzalo producers Stained Glass TV had been given the green light to continue shooting this week after been granted a permit by the Company and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
However following questions by City Press to the SABC and Stained Glass TV, as to why they were granted permission to shoot during the lockdown, things took a u-turn.
Stained Glass TV is owned by Gugu Zuma-Ncube and Pepsi Pokane.
The City Press reports that the SABC had allegedly told the show's producers to make a special request to resume production. In a twist of events though, the department of trade and industry, which issues the permits, has distanced itself from the incident.
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Spokesperson Sidwell Medupe speaking to City Press said; “This is a matter between the SABC and all the companies contracted to the SABC. The CIPC is automated and it is the company’s responsibility to check if they comply with the regulations before they even apply for a permit,” said Medupe.
“Most companies were granted permits. However, as the department, we reviewed all the applications, and when we found that the company was not an essential service we revoked the permit and sent an email to alert the entity.”
SABC insiders have allegedly told the publication that the SABC is giving Stained Glass TV "special treatment".
“Is this happening because Gugu is the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, and this is the reason her company is given preference?” asked the insider.
Stained Glass TV has maintained its innocence in the matter saying they applied for a permit after realising they had limited content for viewers.
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“Stained Glass TV is the largest TV production employer in KwaZulu-Natal. Uzalo employees took their annual paid leave during the initial 21-day lockdown period, but the period ended on April 17,” he said.
“In the absence of significant Covid-19 economic support [relief] measures, the employees and service providers will lose their only source of income. In a province with a limited amount of TV sector activity, the negative socioeconomic effects are significantly more pronounced than they are in Gauteng or the Western Cape.”
Do you think Uzalo production should be allowed to return to work or should they wait until lockdown regulations allow them to do so?
