DRAMA seems to be what Stained Glass Productions ordered when it decided to produce popular series The Wife, adapted from Dudu Busani-Dube’s popular book series.
If the company is not being attacked by hardcore fans of the book on social media, it is getting in trouble with the Film and Publication Board (FPB).
This is after the steamy sex scene between actors Khanyi Mbau and Mondli Makhoba set tongues wagging to an extend where viewers were left thinking that the two really did have sex.
Now, the board has launched an investigation to find out whether the show complied with its assigned restriction of 16 VSNL.
“The 16 VSNL assigned by Showmax to The Wife will be compliance-checked against the justification given by Showmax in the report that all distributors, with online agreements to self-classify, need to complete,” read the statement.
“Should the review of the rating of the episode be found to be incorrect, the FPB has the power in terms of section 18J of the FP Amendment Act to reclassify any material that was previously classified in terms of the Act.”
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Explaining its reason for launching an investigation, CEO Mashilo Boloka said they were worried about the distribution and wider circulation of the clip by the public via social media.
“These clips have the potential to cause harm if accessed by children. The Films and Publications Amendment Act does not, in any way, limit the sharing of content – as long as it is not harmful, illegal and/or prohibited.”
Mashilo said the board would be publishing guidelines on what was and wasn’t permissible to share online.
“This is so that they know what is permissible within the new law. The spread of this material on social media platforms underlines the need for vigilance by FPB to curb illegal distribution of harmful and prohibited material so as to protect the public, including children. We are putting in systems to monitor non-compliance with the new Act, including the online rapid response team and enforcement committee,” he said.
