Chicco Twala Fires Back at Bridgette Motsepe’s Extortion Claims, Ready for Court Battle
Producer Sello “Chicco” Twala has responded forcefully to businesswoman Bridgette Motsepe’s claim that she became the target of extortion linked to the controversial film Worse Than Apartheid. The film, produced by Twala and allegedly intended to expose corrupt ANC heavyweights, sparked controversy after reports emerged that the friendship between Motsepe and Twala collapsed when she allegedly refused to pay him more than R3 million to abort the production.
Twala said that he is prepared for any legal action Motsepe may take following her public statement on Tuesday.
“If she says someone is extorting money from her, then she should go to the police. I mean, Bridgette is a professional and not just any ordinary person; she is the sister of Patrice Motsepe. So are you telling me that if there was extortion, she wouldn’t go to the police? Obviously, if that’s the case, [you] go to the police,” he said.
Twala stressed that he would not need a lawyer to prove that Motsepe had previously made commitments to raise funds to compensate actors, crew, and co-producers involved in the film.
“When I was involved in soccer, Dr Irvin Khoza [Orlando Pirates’ owner] used to say, ‘Trust, but not too much,’ and his words taught me to always be ready for times like this, and I am ready. Even if I die or she dies tomorrow, there is enough circumstantial evidence to prove that the press statement she released contradicts everything she stood for as an ambassador [of economic development for the Pan-African parliament],” Twala said.
He said he respected Motsepe personally but insisted that her allegations of extortion were entirely unfounded.
“I’ve been accused many times by people calling me all sorts of ugly names after genuinely assisting them with their needs, so I am ready for the court action she is pursuing. I respect and adore Bridgette very much, but her throwing me under the bus to save her skin and appear as a victim is absurd. Calling me and the young filmmakers I’ve worked with for almost a decade ‘extorters’ is the worst thing she could have said to us,” Twala said.
He added that Motsepe’s accusations were a direct attack on the dreams and hard work of young filmmakers.
“Why call us extorters when she knows very well that she is the one in the wrong? Her accusation is a direct attack on the dreams, passion, and hard work of creators who poured their hearts into this film. These young filmmakers spent countless hours researching, scripting, shooting, and editing this project, only to have it weaponised against them by being called extorters,” he said.
Motsepe, on her part, released a statement on Tuesday insisting that she had never promised or agreed to pay any amount to any party involved in the Worse Than Apartheid production.
“Allegations to the contrary are false, defamatory, and form part of a coordinated attempt to extort money,” she said. Motsepe confirmed that she had met with Twala but claimed the purpose was solely to show the film to business leaders so they could recognise its potential negative economic impact.
“The ambassador (Motsepe) met with producer Chicco Twala solely to discuss whether the film could be adapted to include a hopeful view of 31 years of our democracy and the achievements of our country, rather than just a negative one. At no stage did the ambassador request that the film be ‘deleted’, nor did she agree to pay for its production costs or alleged deletion. This position has been independently corroborated by respected witnesses, who confirmed that ambassador Motsepe never made any promise or commitment of payment,” said Bridget von Holdt, issuing the statement on Motsepe’s behalf.
Von Holdt also outlined that witnesses at the meeting, Mrs Casaletti Bwalya (marketing agency owner) and senior attorney Mr Maurizio Mariano (Biccari Bollo Mariano Incorporated), confirmed that Motsepe’s only request was that the script be presented to business leaders to secure funding for a new, positive film.
“To this day, despite repeated requests, the ambassador has not received the script. In its absence, business leaders were unable to provide funding, as the script was required for submission to the tax authorities in support of any pledges towards seed capital for the proposed message of hope film,” von Holdt said.
Sunday World reported that Twala had already invested millions of rand producing the film and was on the verge of securing a contract with a top TV channel when discussions arose about its potential cancellation.
The publication also claimed to possess text messages between Motsepe, Twala, and top ANC leaders, suggesting commitments to reimburse actors and executive producers. Motsepe, however, insists she had no intention of financially supporting Worse Than Apartheid, and vows to pursue legal action to protect her reputation.
“The ambassador will be taking legal action relating to these deliberate falsehoods and defamatory claims, which are designed to coerce payment under false pretences. Ambassador Motsepe will not, and will never, support or contribute in any way – financially or otherwise – to any film or series based on Worse Than Apartheid, if it even exists, to any project that promotes or references unfounded allegations of genocide, or that denies apartheid was a crime against humanity,” von Holdt said.
She added: “As a proud citizen of SA, she – like the vast majority of South Africans – deplores the concept of the Worse Than Apartheid film and any similar attempts to distort the country’s reality or undermine its 31-year democracy, which has worked tirelessly to remove the symbols of apartheid.”
As the legal and public battle continues, both Twala and Motsepe appear steadfast in defending their positions, leaving the question of accountability and the truth of the matter to be decided in a court of law.
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