SABC puts screws on ex-Metro host
‘Big Break Legacy’ boss faces losing his prized assets
Former Metro FM talk show host Ezra Ndwandwe must pay the SABC over R4.5-million or risk losing his prized assets for failing to meet the terms of an agreement to broadcast his television show.
The SABC gave one of Ndwandwe’s companies, Dual Point Media, a revolving credit facility of R2.8-million a month to “buy advertising airtime to broadcast its programme The Big Break Legacy on SABC channels” in 2013.
Ndwandwe, managing director of Dual Point Media, allegedly failed to pay the SABC amounts ranging from R700 000 to R1.4-million for four months in 2013.
The SABC then approached the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg for a default judgment. On August 30, the high court issued a written order for the Sheriff to attach Ndwandwe and Dual Point Media’s assets to recover the millions in unpaid debt.
“In breach of their obligations …, [Dual Point Media and Ndwandwe] have failed, alternatively refused, further alternatively neglected to effect payment of the sum of R4.52million,” the SABC said.
The public broadcaster said it performed its obligations in terms of the agreement by advancing the revolving credit and broadcasting his programme and invoiced his company for the monthly value of the credit.
The SABC said it was entitled to can the programme or advertisements should any amount in terms of the credit facility agreement remain unpaid. Spokesman Kaizer Kganyago referred Sowetan’s inquiry to the public broadcaster’s legal department, which had not responded at the time of going to press.
Yesterday, Ndwandwe confirmed there was a demand by the SABC for unpaid airtime bought on behalf of The Big Break Legacy “placed on air by The Agency which has now been liquidated and therefore the demand falls on us”.
“We are working to find ways to resolve it,” he said.