Payment issues seem to follow Mhlo Gumede as this is not the first time. The first ever KwaZulu-Natal Entertainment awards (KZNEA) saw KZN artists and media personalities getting awarded for their excellence in the industry. Not only did they walk away with trophies, they were also promised thousands of rands, which, according to Sunday World, they have allegedly not received as yet.
The publication alleges that artists are furious as they have not received their promised cash prizes. The award ceremony took place last year at the Durban ICC on Tuesday in December. Hosting the event was Somizi Mhlongo and his friend Pearl Thusi.
Each winner of the various categories was promised to walk away with R100 000 whilst the KZN's Most Loved award was worth R500 000. Winning this award was Maskandi superstar Khuzani who was supposed to have won R600 000.
A source told the paper that the organisers might have allegedly stole the money for themselves as this was a huge event, “People are still in the dark as to what happened to the money they were supposed to bag when they were announced as winners. A lot of money was pumped into that event, media people were flown from different provinces to cover the event and were booked in upmarket hotels. It might mean the organisers ‘chowed’ the money,”
Who are the organisers? Well one of the major ones is apparently Zandi Khumalo's husband Mhlo Gumede. He allegedly received a copious amount of sponsorship but the funds have not seen the light of day.
"With all due respect, Mhlo Gumede is my sister's husband And manager NOT my bookings manager nor part of my team, never was and never will be, so what ever dealings you may have with him Do NOT involve me," wrote Kelly at the time.
Raising a few red flags about this event was Hulisani Ravele who questioned who would be funding the event and why, when there are so many other sectors that need funding.
"Who's paying? IF it's government, this is a spit in the face of dilapidated schools, kids who cross dangerous rivers & walk for km's to get to school, students who can't afford tuition. I'm all for celebrating those who do well, the arts, mara please, this is wasteful expenditure," she commented.
Who's paying? IF it's govt, this is a spit in the face of dilapidated schools, kids who cross dangerous rivers & walk for km's to get to school, students who can't afford tuition. I'm all for celebrating those who do well, the arts, mara please, this is wasteful expenditure. 😔 https://t.co/wunlIPfKFx
