Dodgy voting tactics hit The Voice SA

Dodgy voting tactics have forced M-Net to re-evaluate the next episode of music reality show The Voice SA and call back two previous contestants.

The broadcaster said these contestants' exits from the show could have been affected by "paid-for marketing efforts".

In a statement titled "M-Net gives The Voice SA talent another chance", the broadcaster admitted it was forced to change the format of Sunday's show after it was alerted to paid-for marketing efforts (boosted posts) running on some contestants' social media accounts.

These boosted posts are against the rules of the competition.

M-Net said it had invited two previous contestants, Luke Lovemore and PJ Pretorius, back onto the show.

"Despite our best efforts, we could not determine with certainty whether misconduct took place and what the impact was on the voting results. We believe the fairest solution under these circumstances is to give all the affected talent another chance," said Nkateko Mabaso, general manager of M-Net South Africa.

None of the remaining contestants on the show will be sent home this week either and voting lines have been closed.

The social media boosts can cause voting spikes and give contestants an unfair advantage in the competition. M-Net said it had launched an investigation after it was alerted to the dodgy tactics.