Crew member involved in Florence Masebe incident 'not on set'

TMG Entertainment has learnt that the crew member involved in an alleged racist altercation on the set of Mzansi Magic’s Ring of Lies, which was cast into the spotlight by actress Florence Masebe on Tuesday, has been removed from the set of the show.

Spokesperson Nondumiso Macebe confirmed on Wednesday that the channel is currently investigating the incident which was said to have taken place on Tuesday morning between an art director and the show's director, and that the art director had not been commissioned to continue with the show.

"Production is ongoing and has not been halted. All of the cast members are on set, as is the director, but the art director that is said to have been involved in the incident is not on set. That is the decision made by the production company."

In a statement issued by Mzansi Magic on Tuesday evening, the channel stated that the incident is being investigated and is viewed in a serious light.

“Mzansi Magic has been in contact with the Ring of Lies cast and production company, Penguin Films, regarding the incident that took place onset involving two production crew members. An investigation is being undertaken and appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that the situation is resolved. Mzansi Magic and Penguin Films strongly condemn any acts of discrimination and encourage a fair working environment based on mutual respect.”

Nondumiso said that she is unaware of reports that the incident was the second such incident of racism on set of the show on Wednesday, but confirmed that the investigation is well underway, and a meeting has been called for Thursday to allow the cast and crew to bring up any grievances they have.

She stated that protection would be given, if needed, to those that had spoken out about the incident on social media but said that the channel has a "open door policy" and she did not feel the actors would be victimised.

The investigation, said to last "two to three days", comes after former Generations and Muvhango actress Florence Masebe took to Twitter to claim that "racism is out here dancing on  our set" and that a crew member had said to the director "I can speak to you anyway I like because I’m white."