Cape Town – Actress Luyanda has alleged that producers dismissed her safety concerns after she reported an incident involving a fellow actor, claiming they prioritised production schedules over her wellbeing.
Speaking about the experience, Luyanda said she approached the production team after the incident, hoping they would take her concerns seriously.
“I go to the producers. I’m like, guys, this is what happened, they said, but did you die? Nothing has happened. He didn’t pull the trigger, so can you please just go to set because right now, we’re running out of time,” she said.
According to Luyanda, the producers opted to arrange a meeting to find a “common ground” rather than involve the police.
@starpromosLuyanda Zwana speaks o. How a she was violated with a gun 😳😳😳♬ Never lose – Yellow Hippie
As part of the proposed resolution, she requested that she no longer be required to travel in the same vehicle as the actor involved, saying his presence made her feel unsafe.
“The common ground was [that] I don’t want to be in the same car as him moving forward. I feel really unsafe. My work is based on my mental health, so if that’s compromised, I won’t be able to perform well,” she said.
Luyanda said the arrangement was only implemented temporarily before production raised concerns about the additional costs.
“They implemented that for a week or two, and then after that they were like, ‘You’re actually cramping up our budget, so can you please decide what you want to do,’” she added.
Luyanda’s claims come amid growing scrutiny over allegations of misconduct within South Africa’s television and film industry.
In May 2026, actress Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku publicly accused her former Red Ink co-star, Bonko Khoza, of sexually violating her during the filming of a scene. The alleged incident is said to have taken place in September 2023.
According to Nokwe-Mseleku, subsequent meetings and email exchanges with the production team failed to produce a satisfactory outcome. She also alleged that industry unions, which she expected would support her, instead invalidated her experience.
In response to the allegations, Khoza issued a statement denying any wrongdoing.
“I will continue to defend my name, dignity, and reputation against unfounded accusations. I intend to fully exercise my legal rights, bringing this matter to a finality.”
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Picture: Instagram/ Luyanda Zwane
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
