7de Laan runs out of money to pay staff - could this be the end?

Award-winning SABC 2 soapie 7de Laan could possibly be coming to an end next week, as the show's contract with the SABC has not yet been renewed for a new season, scheduled to begin on Monday.

A source, who works at Danie Odendaal Productions - the company which produces 7de Laan - exclusively revealed to TshisaLIVE that the production company has run out of money after digging deep in their pockets to fund the production for the past four months.

As a result, the insider explained that employees, including the cast and crew, were warned on Thursday morning that they should not expect to be paid their salaries for October.

• Cast resignations! Dropping numbers! Is this the end for 7de Laan?It was once seen as one of the shining stars of SA TV but it seems that the lights are dimming over on 7de Laan. 

"In the meeting that we were in this morning, we were basically told not to expect our salaries on Tuesday."

The contract was sent to the SABC months ago, but the public broadcaster has since not renewed it, and therefore there is no funding, according to the source. However, the source added that despite this, it's business as usual in the office.

"We are still working at the production company right now. We have not downed tools. The environment in the office is quite sombre at the moment. But everything is quite normal, except for the fact that we are not going to get paid."

The show's line producer also confirmed to TshisaLIVE that 7de Laan is awaiting a signed contract from the SABC, but failed to reveal whether a new season of show would be aired on Monday.

• Emtee, Drake & 7de Laan top Google trendsThe thing about the internet is that everything is measured. So, Google South Africa can keep track of trends on a weekly basis. 

"We have been running for about two and a half months now. We don't have a signed contract. We believe it's still in progress. So yes, we are busy with the contract at the moment," she said, before also suggesting that it was likely the production team might not get paid.

"If there is no contract in place, it means we can't invoice. So, you can read between the lines."

As previously reported, the soapie has been hit by several big changes over the last few months, leaving it remarkably different and facing an unclear future.

No less than ten main actors have left the show since the turn of the year, including some of the show's most popular characters. Moreover, according to recent viewership figures, the soapie has continued its freefall, losing around 269 527 viewers from June to July.

Find the hottest celebrity and entertainment news on TshisaLIVE or follow TshisaLIVE on Facebook and Twitter.