Christian feature film Married and Loving It has turned unholy with crew members demanding that they get paid almost two years after the movie was shot.
The film is scheduled to premiere in August and the cast includes Fumani Shilubana, Weza da Silva, Godfrey Thobejane, Zack Orji and Sibongile Phakathi.
Crew members working under director of photography (DOP) Denford Dunamis Dzingire are demanding that executive producer, Tich Tanyanyiwa, pay them what is owed to them before the movie premieres.
Tanyanyiwa is a pastor at Prevailing Word Ministries International in North Riding , northern Johannesburg.
Samuel Dichakane, who worked as assistant grip, and Xolani Masilela, who worked as best boy, said they have not received a cent from working on the film in November 2019.
“My rate was R3,500 for the entire shoot of about 10 days,” Dichakane said.
“I was promised to be paid R700 a day. I even went straight to the pastor [Tanyanyiwa] because our DOP (Dzingire) redirected me straight to management. He kept making promises that he will pay next month and so forth.”
Sibusiso Ndlovu, who was the lighting designer, said he received half of his daily rate of R2,000.
A fourth crew member, who asked to remain anonymous, said he was also paid half.
“I was paid 50% of my rate after I chased and when I tried to call pastor Tich he said he doesn’t have the money and told me about waiting for sponsorships. I eventually got tired of chasing. I had asked for R16,000 for the entire shoot,” the crew member said.
Dzingire told Sowetan that Tanyanyiwa was yet to settle 50% of the invoice and estimated that the outstanding amount was between R50,000 and R70,000. That amount is for Dzingire’s DOP staff and some of the equipment used.
“When I prepared the invoice, I put the key crew members’ account details so the amount goes directly to their accounts,” said Dzingire.
“I know there were some people that were supposed to liaise directly with the producers and were not on my list. Those were not paid at all.
“From my understanding Pastor Tich had secured a budget for the film and I advised him to go for particular equipment so that he is able to cover all the costs.
“Then he met another guy that offered him equipment as part of a partnership. He trusted him and they failed to deliver. Pastor Tich was put in a difficult situation where he ended up paying for things those guys promised under the partnership.”
Tanyanyiwa declined to comment on the non-payment issue.
“Seeing that you have already spoken to the crew members I’m advising that you go back to them and they explain the whole situation,” Tanyanyiwa said.
“They have called me letting me know that you have called them. I’m aware of what is happening and if I give you an answer it’s going to be my words against theirs. I’m sure the story will give you a good profile, so go ahead.”
Sowetan understands that all main cast members were paid and Phakathi confirmed that she was paid on time.
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