Actor Kagiso Modupe, known for his roles in *Losing Lerato* and other productions, is facing backlash from the crew of BET’s latest show, *Pound 4 Pound*, over unpaid salaries. The show, which premiered on 29 September, stars prominent actors such as Enhle Mbali, Mduduzi Mabaso, and Gabisile Tshablala. Despite the show’s success, it has been marred by allegations that the crew members have not been compensated for their work.
### Production Delays and Payment Promises
*Pound 4 Pound* was produced by Bakwena Productions, a company co-owned by Modupe and Rashaka Muofhe. According to sources close to the production, the crew was told they would receive their payments by 25 September. However, as of late November, many crew members claimed they were still waiting for their salaries. The delay has left several workers frustrated, with one crew member revealing that the managing director, Rashaka Muofhe, had initially assured them that payroll would open on 25 September, with final payments expected by the end of the month.
Despite these promises, the payments did not come through, and communication from the production company became limited. The crew members were allegedly blocked from sending complaints in the company’s WhatsApp group, adding to the mounting frustration. Another source mentioned that Modupe later sent a voice note to the group, explaining the situation and attributing the delay to issues with BET’s payment processes.
### Modupe’s Explanation and BET’s Response
In his voice note, Modupe apologized to the crew for the delayed payments, explaining that the issue was due to BET’s international payment processes. He said that, as an international company, BET required approvals from overseas before funds could be transferred, and this had caused the holdup. “The money is not readily available, and we’ve been waiting for approvals. However, we’ve been promised that the payment has finally been loaded and should be coming in this week,” he reassured the crew.
Modupe also emphasized that the production company was in a difficult position, stating, “The only reason we can’t fight back or raise a fuss is because we are trying to maintain a good relationship with the channel. We don’t want to ruin the opportunity that has been opened for us.” His statements, however, were met with skepticism from some crew members who claimed that Paramount, BET’s parent company, had already fulfilled its payment obligations.
### Conflicting Information on Payments
According to insiders, Paramount had reportedly already made the necessary payments to Bakwena Productions. “They’re blaming it on Paramount, but from what we’ve been told, all payments from them have been made,” said one anonymous source. In response to inquiries, a Paramount representative initially confirmed that Bakwena Productions was up to date with all payments and that the final crew payments were due within 30 days of the production’s completion, in line with industry standards.
However, after the publication shared Modupe’s voice note with Paramount, they issued a revised statement, acknowledging that some payments were indeed outstanding. “After further discussions with Bakwena Productions, BET has been made aware that there are still outstanding payments owed to some of the crew. BET has fulfilled its payment obligations to Bakwena, and we are now working closely with them to ensure the payments are processed as soon as possible,” the company stated.
### No Comment from Modupe
Attempts to reach Kagiso Modupe for further comment were unsuccessful. Rashaka Muofhe, the managing director of Bakwena Productions, responded briefly, reiterating that the statement from Paramount was a joint response between the production company and the broadcaster. He did not provide additional details on the timeline for the outstanding payments.
### Conclusion
The situation surrounding the delayed payments for *Pound 4 Pound* highlights the challenges often faced in the entertainment industry, particularly when dealing with international broadcasters. While Modupe and his team have explained the delays as being beyond their control, the crew remains frustrated, hoping for a swift resolution to the ongoing payment issue.