Mhlongo's hefty pay opens can of worms

Thapelo Letsholo - the director of Red Pepper Productions, the local company that won a P14 million tender from BOT50, has denied rife allegations that his company is fronting for a South African company bearing the same name.

Asked how much his company paid popular South African choreographer Somizi Mlongo for the two-day rehearsal on a theatrical documentary for the BOT50, Letsholo denied ever paying Mlongo any money and distanced his company from allegations of “fronting” for a South African company responsible for the production of TV soapies including Muvhango.

Angry artists were last week baying for the blood of BOT50 committee officials accusing them of paying Somizi Mlongo P500 000 for the two-day rehearsal instead of using local artists. But then BOT50 Coordinator, Charity Kgotlafela distanced her organisation from the SA choreographer and payment, explaining that they had awarded the tender to Red Pepper Productions and it was up to them who they engaged as long as they delivered on their contract.

This week Letsholo, whose company is said to be “fairly new” and was allegedly formed to position itself for the BOT50 “windfall.” refuted allegations of any links to South Africa’s Red Pepper Productions. Letsholo said Mlongo was in fact his “boy” but denied paying him any money before again referring all questions to BOT50 Coordinator, Charity Kgotlafela who also distanced herself from the South African Choreographer.

Although Letsholo claimed that Mlongo came for free, a BOT50 insider spilled the beans that the SA celebrity pocketed close to 500k for the two-days job at the expense of locals who could have been given the task. Another source alleged that Letsholo is fronting for some “big guys” in South Africa who are allegedly in cahoots with some of the powers that be at BOT50 pining to have a share of the P100 million budget for BOT50 celebrations.

Letsholo denied the allegation while Kgotlafela did not mince her words as she informed this publication that the tender which was awarded to Red Pepper Production was done after “thorough screening” among local companies.

“If Red Pepper Productions has decided to use cheap labour from Zimbabwe or China, we are not concerned as we are expecting the company to deliver what was agreed upon in the contractual obligations of the tender. It is even their right to refuse disclosure to the media,” she said.