According to Sunday World, three Amapiano musicians, DJ Maphorisa, Kabza de Small, and Sha Sha, were summoned on 18 February for failing to pitch at a festival in Zimbabwe and failing to refund the event’s promoter R230 000.
The three musicians’ representative, Jansen & Jansen Attorneys, reportedly received a summons from Tshwane Magistrate’s Court in Pretoria.
DJ Maphorisa, Kabza de Small, and Sha Sha were given ten days to file an intention to defend their case, according to the summons obtained by the publication.
“Inform the defendant further that if they fail to file and serve notice as aforesaid, judgment, as claimed, may be given against them without further notice to them,” the summons reportedly read.
“Inform the defendants also that if they do not intend to defend the action, they may give written notice to that effect to the plaintiff and the clerk of the court and the action may then, at the written request of the plaintiff, be forthwith set down by the clerk for hearing without further notice to defendants,” the summons reportedly continued.
The plaintiff’s company, Bandwagon, trading as VIC Falls Carnival and the Lawk Productions musicians reportedly had a written agreement on 8 September 2021. The musicians were booked in Zimbabwe to perform as Scorpion Kings. The promoter reportedly booked them to perform at Zambezi River and Elephant Hills International Hotel on 29 April 2022 but they reportedly failed to pitch.
Bandwagon allegedly paid the musicians R230 000. DJ Maphorisa and Kabza de Small were booked to perform for one-hour. Sha Sha was reportedly booked to perform for 15 minutes.
Most of the R230 000 was allegedly spent as follows:
- R91 000 allegedly went for three business class and economy class flights
- R11 250 allegedly went to book the stars in executive suites
- An extra R14 400 allegedly went to book additional standard bedroom
- R22 500 was allegedly paid for immigration papers
- R 9 000 was allegedly spent on consensus board costs
- And, R15 000 allegedly went with Zimra income tax.
Bandwagon reportedly said the musicians abandoned fans who bought the tickets in the hopes of seeing them perform, and when they pulled a no-show, the company suffered over R 164 000 worth of damages
Bandwagon reportedly said the contract specified that a refund would compensate and be paid in the instance that the three musketeers failed to pitch.
THREE OTHER MUSICIANS THAT WERE ACCUSED OF OWING PROMOTERS
According to Zimjola, an event promoter accused Umlando hitmaker of owing him R22 000. The musician allegedly refused to perform at the event venue due to load shedding.
Makhadzi also reportedly owed an event promoter whom she was reportedly in a cat-and-mouse game with, Zalebs reported.
Previously reported by The South African, Babes Wodumo is also one of the musicians among those who ditched gigs after being paid.