LESS than a month into popular Moja Love reality show Lovey Dovey, it has already been riddled with drama.
The channel has announced that it will be evicting one of the contestants, Gift Masuku, on the episode that will air on Saturday, 9 April.
It released a statement, saying some female contestants had accused him of sexual harassment and were uncomfortable with him in the house.
“Moja Love (DStv 157) has evicted Gift (34) from the Lovey Dovey mansion, following serious allegations of sexual harassment against him. Several female participants opened up to the production team about how uncomfortable they were feeling because of ‘his inability to draw the line’ and sexual advances. Following complaints, the channel immediately decided to remove him from the mansion and discontinue his participation,” read the statement.
Head of Moja Love TV channels Bokani Moyo said they removed him because of the serious allegations.
“Moja Love takes such allegations seriously, which is why we decided to remove Gift from the house with immediate effect. His behaviour is appalling and despicable in a society that is battling gender-based violence on a daily basis. As a channel, it was crucial that we take such action as we do not tolerate any form of harassment,” she said.
The channel shared that it also provided support for the contestants through its social worker and counsellor.
“The channel has provided support to female participants through Basani Chauke, who is a channel-affiliated social worker and counsellor. She has provided counselling to the participants, who indicated that they are comfortable to continue their participation in the reality show. Participants stand a chance to find love, win a wedding of their dreams and half a million rands.”
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The reality show, hosted by Somizi Mhlongo and Gabisile Tshabalala, is about 15 contestants all coming into one house to find love where every week, they get eliminated.
Gift told Daily Sun that he thinks he was set up by the channel.
“This was made up, it is staged. I was also shocked when I was told I was evicted. They called me to ask if I know why I was disqualified and I said no. They told me six ladies in the house are uncomfortable around me. I asked how that was possible because I had never interacted with them before. They then changed and said someone said I called her in a manner in which she’s not comfortable with,” said Gift.
“They changed the story countless times and when I spoke to some of the girls who have also been eliminated, they told me they don’t know anything about the allegations. So, this was just a way to get me out,” he said.
Gift said he will be taking legal action against the channel.
“When I left, they told me they would not say anything because they do not have proof of what really happened, but now that I know they released a statement saying this about me, I will be taking action against them,” he said.
“They are ruining my name and reputation for nothing. They have footage of everything happening in the house, they can look at it and see if this really happened or not. I feel I should take a stand for myself because this will not be good picture for my image and work,” he said.
