Comedian and actor Toll Ass Mo, real name Mongezi Mahlangu, is at the centre of a payment dispute with several comedians who performed during his comedy nights at the La Parada restaurant in Northriding, Johannesburg.
Mahlangu insists that all performers were paid, but comedian Mbali Gudazi — who was booked and performed at a ladies’ night event on February 14 — says she is owed R2,500, though she has given up on getting it.
Approached for comment, Gudazi said: “Is he going to give me my money if you write this in the paper? He owes me R2,500. Me and the lady that he did not pay, is it because we are not famous? Because the others got paid.”
Another comedian, Oscar Omuhle, says he is owed R5,000.
Mahlangu has denied the allegations. “Everybody's been paid. There was a one-week delay on their payment,” he said, but declined to provide proof of the payments.
However, voice recordings shared on a comedians’ WhatsApp group tell a different story.
Omuhle — who was booked and performed at the Why Uzonda Ama Gents comedy night at the same establishment — expressed his frustration on the group about the payment system. “What I like about him is that he does not choose. He doesn’t care whether we are up and coming, or we have been doing this thing for more than 15 years. No pay.
“Some [get paid] half. Some quarter. Some zero. Half can be anything. It can be R1,500, it can be R1,00. It’s a lot. I did two gigs. But who am I? It's funny how you treat people like sh*t, and then tomorrow you turn around and praise God. Don’t forget, God is not stupid. Keep doing it.”
Another comedian — who wanted to remain anonymous, said a similar experience. “I did two gigs... and I'm still waiting for my payment.”
The Sunday Times contacted other comedians in the group, but they refused to comment, saying they were “resolving the issue” among themselves.
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