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- The e.tv drama Imbewu has stopped filming due to a positive case of Covid-19.
- The channel said in a statement that testing for exposed cast and crew members is underway.
- kykNET soapies Suidooster, Binnelanders and the telenovela Arendsvlei have also shut down production.
- The channel will however continue to broadcast new episodes of the shows as they are filmed in advance.
Imbewu on e.tv is the latest primetime series on South African television to shut down due to a positive case of Covid-19.
The channel will continue broadcasting episodes although the Grapevine Productions series filmed in KwaZulu/Natal is shutting down for deep-cleaning of the studio and sets.
"e.tv can confirm that a positive case of Covid-19 has been recorded on the late prime weekday show Imbewu. The KwaZulu-Natal local production premises have shut down, and the necessary testing for exposed cast and crew members is underway," says e.tv in a statement.
"The set will undergo deep cleaning to further minimize the risk of contamination, as per Covid-19 protocols. In respecting the privacy of our talent, cast and crew's medical and health matters, we will not be issuing the names of any affected individuals."
e.tv says that "the health of affected employees will be monitored over time, and filming will resume when it is safe to do so as set out by health authorities. All Covid-19, level 3 protocols, and guidelines will once again be adhered to with stringent controls once the required cast and crew are back on set."
Multiple shows on M-Net's Afrikaans division channels kykNET (DStv 144) and kykNET & Kie (DStv 145) are now also affected by positive Covid-19 cases among the cast and crew.
This stretches from weekday primetime soaps, and series like Suidooster and Arendsvlei produced in Cape Town, to Johannesburg where the soap Binnelanders, the call-in music show Kom Ons Jol, and its current affairs strand KN Verslag are all filmed.
Binnelanders, Suidooster and Arendsvlei will, however, continue to broadcast new episodes.
kykNET says "No disruption of daily dramas and telenovelas is expected because these programmes are filmed months in advance. Since the start of level 3 regulations, some of these productions have also adjusted their shooting schedules to six working days a week, using smaller, rotating crews."
The current affairs show KN Verslag will also continue. Anchor Waldimar Pelser will continue to present the show either from his home in Cape Town or the studio in Johannesburg. The other KN Verslag anchors, Lourensa Eckard and Heindrich Wyngaard will broadcast from the studio in Johannesburg.
"kykNET is committed to the safety of all crew and cast on productions, as well as that of our viewers. We wish to thank crew and cast members who are working hard under trying circumstances to keep kykNET viewers informed and entertained," says the channel.
