Makhadzi and her record label, Open Mic, have been served with a lawsuit for allegedly failing to honor their end of the deal for a gig in Limpopo.
According to SowetanLIVE, the well-known musician was booked in December 2021, and Open Mic was compensated R70 000 for the booking. Other costs cited in the letter of demand, which the company was reportedly served, included accommodation and alcohol for her team.
LEGAL WOES FOR MAKHADZI AND OPEN MIC
In May, Paledi Events Management, through its legal representative Mxolisi Kabinde, slapped Makhadzi and the record label with the letter of demand as she had not performed at the all-white-themed party held at Malapile Park in Rathoke.
“You breached the terms of the agreement between you and our client in that the artist booked by our client failed to arrive and perform at the event,” the letter reads.
As a result, the events company suffered damages of the sum of R70 000.
Paledi Events Management co-founder, Modibane Legoabe, added that Makhadzi’s team also asked for additions which included three Moët champagne bottles, three Hennessy bottles, platters and accommodation, which all cost an additional R5 000.
“We now have instructions to demand the payment of the sum of R158 750 within 14 days of receipt of this letter. Your failure to accede to our demand will result in us with no further notice instituting legal action to claim the amount demanded by our client,” the letter continues.
‘SHE NORMALLY DOESN’T PITCH FOR GIGS’
This is not the first events company that has accused Makhadzi of being a no-show.
In May, Miga Events took to Facebook to blast the Ghanama singer and her team for not failing to entertain the crowd during an Easter Sunday family picnic on 17 April in Ramatlabama, North West. The organisers also allegedly heard “rumours” that the singer “normally doesn’t pitch for gigs”.
Because Makhadzi failed to honour her gig, Miga Events requested that her team refund them the R70 000 booking fee.
In December, the Limpopo-born singer was booked to perform at a wedding in her home province but allegedly did not pitch.
Makgobatse Lesoalo said: “On the day of the wedding, Makhadzi’s team phoned us and said they would only be arriving the next day. I told them not to bother coming because the wedding would not be over by then”.
OPEN MIC RESPONDS
Speaking to SowetanLIVE in April, Open Mic’s Nkateko Maluleke said that they had informed the organisers that Makhadzi was not well on the day.
“We then asked that they forward a remission invoice for reimbursement. We don’t always take money and not perform. She wasn’t well and there’s nothing you can do about it.
“She’s not a machine, she’s human. It is not a norm to miss events and if we do, we communicate with (the) client and when we do, refunding is not an issue at all,” he said.
He also addressed the recent lawsuit, saying they had not received it.
“They haven’t reached out to us … I am hearing from you that they are now calling the media,” he said.
