A Joburg-based furniture retailer is now moving to hold actor Kagiso Medupe, filmmaker Rashaka Moufhe and Moufhe’s wife, actress Brenda Mukwevho, personally liable for the alleged multi-million-rand debt owed by their production house.
Lavish Living Space has filed papers in the Joburg High Court where it seeks an order to hold the trio personally liable for the debt of R3.4 million stemming from the luxury furniture their entity, Bakwena Productions Media Group, allegedly purchased on credit and failed to pay for.
Bakwena Productions Media Group has produced television drama series Pimville, Losing Lerato and Pound4Pound, among others.
In a previous application, Lavish Living Space, trading as Vivente Collective, sought an order compelling Bakwena Production Media Group to either return the furniture or pay its value. However, in amended court papers seen by Africa Daily, the retailer has expanded its claim to include Medupe, Moufhe and Brenda in their personal capacities.
The retailer alleges that a binding oral and tacit agreement of sale was concluded by its chief executive officer, Brian Mauku, and representatives of Bakwena Production Media Group in November 2025, after which they selected luxury furniture and lighting from its warehouse for use in the SABC drama Pimville.
According to the court papers, the furniture was not only installed at the production company’s offices in Randburg and used during production, but was also ensconced at the Joburg residence of Rashaka and Brenda.
Lavish Living Space claims invoices totalling R3,459,395 were issued on 26 November 2025 and accepted without any objection to the prices or terms.
The retailer further alleges that Rashaka acknowledged the agreement and discussed payment arrangements in several WhatsApp exchanges, allegedly describing the transaction as a “gentlemen’s agreement” and confirming, “My agreement with you is concluded between us” and “As agreed, yes.”
Despite repeated demands for payment, the retailer claims no money has been paid.
In the latest application, Lavish Living Space argues that Medupe, Rashaka and Brenda should be held jointly and severally liable alongside Bakwena Production Media Group.
It alleges the company was used as a façade for the personal interests of its directors, who allegedly received and used the furniture for both business and personal benefit while knowing the company could not meet its financial obligations.
The retailer is asking the court to pierce the corporate veil in terms of Section 20(9) of the Companies Act, arguing that allowing the company alone to bear liability would result in a manifest injustice.
In the alternative, Lavish Living Space argues that the directors are personally liable for reckless trading under the Companies Act, alleging they continued incurring debts despite there being no reasonable prospect of creditors being paid.
The retailer is seeking judgment against all four defendants, jointly and severally, for payment of R3,459,395, interest, legal costs and an order declaring that Bakwena Production Media Group’s separate legal personality should not shield its directors from liability.
Speaking to Africa Daily, Moufhe rubbished claims that their company owes Lavish Living Space any money.
“Brian Mauku took money from a mashonisa and used his furniture as security. When he failed to repay the loan, they wanted to take it, but he quickly removed it and stored it in our studio to evade the mashonisa. He is hiding the furniture in our studio,” he claimed.
Moufhe alleged that he later received a phone call from the loan shark, who explained the circumstances surrounding the furniture.
“I told Brian to come and collect the furniture from our studio, but he failed to do so. Besides, the furniture is not even worth R250,000,” he alleged.
Moufhe also poured cold water on the entity ’s allegations that he was using some of the furniture at his crib.
“They don’t even know where I live, so where do they get that from?” he asked.
Moufhe further claimed that Mauku was making the allegations because he had lost the first court case, in which he cited Bakwena Production Media Group as the respondent after allegedly failing to prove that the company had signed a sale agreement with him.