The broadcaster says unresolved contractual obligations and breaches involving Bakwena Productions led to the abrupt removal of the SABC 2 telenovela from its primetime slot.
By Bulelwa Hoala
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has announced that its telenovela Pimville has been discontinued due to unresolved contractual obligations and alleged breaches by production company Bakwena Productions.
In a statement issued on Monday, 25 May 2026, the SABC said the 9 PM timeslot previously occupied by Pimville will now air repeat episodes of the brand-new second season of the telenovela Amalanga Awafani.
“This outcome is deeply regrettable, particularly considering the dedication and hard work demonstrated by the cast, crew, as well as the unwavering support received from audiences, partners, and all stakeholders who contributed to the programme’s success,” the statement read.
The broadcaster has assured viewers that the discontinuation does not necessarily mean the end of the show.
“The SABC continues to assess various operational options regarding the future of the production, and further updates will be communicated should there be material developments,” the broadcaster said on X.
Read the full statement here:
SABC Update on Pimville Production
The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) wishes to update the public regarding the status of the programme Pimville on SABC 2.
Following a thorough review process and careful consideration, the SABC regrets to announce that Pimville…
— SABC (@SABCPortal) May 25, 2026
Production crisis escalates
The controversy surrounding the production of Pimville began in early May after reports emerged that cast and crew members had allegedly not been paid for several months.
The situation escalated when actors, crew members and suppliers reportedly downed tools over unpaid salaries.
Bakwena Productions allegedly sent WhatsApp messages to cast members claiming the payment delays were due to the SABC withholding funds.
However, the SABC maintained that it had fulfilled its financial obligations to Bakwena Productions and subsequently announced that it had implemented contingency plans while exploring alternative production solutions to keep content on air.
Kagiso Modupe distances himself
Since then, actor, director and co-owner of Bakwena Productions, Kagiso Modupe, publicly distanced himself from the controversy, revealing that he too had allegedly not been paid for his role as head director on the production.
A few days later, reports emerged that several SABC executives linked to the production process had been suspended following internal investigations, including head of content Lala Tuku.
Legal process underway
Meanwhile, the SABC confirmed that a legal process involving the production company is underway, including the issuing of a notice of breach in April 2026. The broadcaster said any further action regarding the future of Pimville would be guided by ongoing contractual, legal and governance processes.
The public broadcaster added that it is continuing to explore operational options to stabilise the production environment and protect the interests of affected cast and crew members.
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