'Our community has been taken over without our permission': residents say tv series 'Umkhokha' is a curse

Mzanzi Magic's hit religious TV series Umkhokha: The Curse is living up to its name in an upmarket Durban suburb. 

The popular telenova, which delves into the lives of two families fighting over a church after the leader dies, is being filmed at a rented property in St Kilda Avenue, Durban North, and is the bane of residents.

Traffic and noise disturbances aside, the production crew has gone as far as ordering homeowners not to use their lawnmowers or power tools when the camera is rolling. 

Panicked neighbours recently called police and private security officers when they heard what they believed was someone being attacked, only to discover a “crime” scene was being filmed.

 Ward councillor Shontel de Boer has received “countless complaints” from residents.

“The complaints range from non-consultation,  noise, traffic, parking of vehicles on the corner, rudeness of people to residents making enquiries, instructing gardeners to switch off lawnmowers, asking residents to stop drilling — but, most important, concerns about safety, due to different people coming and going,” she said. 

Many neighbours are angry they were not consulted about the filming and feel their peaceful neighbourhood has been “invaded” without their consent. 

But in a statement, Mzansi Magic said the production company previously issued a formal letter that served as a notification to all affected residents. 

“On Thursday, the Umkhokha: The Curse production, Durban Film Commission and City Parks held a meeting at High Ridge Park, Durban North Athlone West, to address the complaints. An agreement was reached by all parties and action points are being implemented as per the meeting resolution.”

Residents told the Sunday Times they were unaware of the meeting or the letter.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said the property’s owner, Mazwi Shongwe, informed residents of the filming in his house via the community WhatsApp group. 

“He didn’t ask us permission. He simply informed us that a TV crew would be arriving and posted the schedule. We are all fed up with the constant noise and disruption. It's impossible to get anything done when there are vans and people everywhere. We weren't even told that this was going to happen, and we feel like our community has been taken over without our permission.”

Shongwe lives in a house opposite his property. When the Sunday Times visited the street this week, catering tables had been set up while his home was abuzz with the production crew and cast. He referred the Sunday Times to the Durban Film Office for comment, which in turn redirected queries to the municipality.

Another neighbour said she didn’t think she could cope with the “chaos” until September when the crew is expected to wrap up filming on her street. 

“They've taken over our street and it's been impossible to get anything done. It's a real shame, because we usually have a peaceful, quiet neighbourhood.” 

But some residents are more patient.

“I am not there [during the day] so I can’t say the noise is bothering me. When I get home there is a lot of movement from 7pm to 9am when the crew are still shooting or getting ready to leave. I am not bothered by any of it. It won’t go on forever,” said one.

After De Boer contacted the Durban Film Office, officials met the production company on Thursday morning and resolved that vehicles would park at a nearby open area to ease the traffic flow.  

“The production crew is filming in a private house. They need to sign a location agreement with the owner of the house. The Durban Film Office has no authority to authorise or give a permit for the private space or house or location,” said eThekwini municipal spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela. 

“If they are filming in a private space, they just need to fill in the production registration to make us aware that they are in our city.”

He said in the case of private space, the production company should have drafted concurrence letters, which should have been sent to neighbours within 100m of the location.  

“The neighbour will have to sign the letters to acknowledge and agree that the production can film in the area,” Mayisela said.  

Executive producer Duma kaNdlovu did not respond to requests for comment.