Actors Claim They Were Never Paid on ZNBC-Funded Production

Allegations of exploitation rock Zambia’s local film industry, implicating PF politician

By Gibson Zulu

When film editor Moses Malupande completed editing 26 episodes of the television drama Ifyapachalo, he expected to be paid K13,000 for his work. Instead, he says he received only K1,000.

He is not alone.

A MakanDay investigation has found that several actors, editors and production crew members claim they were never paid for work completed on multiple local film productions over the past four years, including the drama series Ifyapachalo.

Yet documents reviewed by MakanDay show that the production received more than K1 million in funding from the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).

The drama series was produced by Zed Entertainment Ttelevision, a company said to be run by businessman and Patriotic Front (PF) councillor for Kapwepwe Ward in Matero, Patrick Mwamba Salubusa. However, a search on the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) database shows that while the company was registered in 2013, its status currently appears as inactive. As a result, it is difficult to establish the full ownership structure of the company or identify its other shareholders.

Interviews with actors and crew members suggest a pattern of alleged non-payment across several productions linked to the company, raising questions about how production funds were managed and whether workers involved in the projects were fairly compensated.

ZNBC funding for Ifyapachalo

Ifyapachalo was produced by Zed Entertainment TV, with Salubusa serving as writer, producer and director.

According to a letter from ZNBC Acting Director General Reuben Kajokoto responding to MakanDay’s questions, the state-owned broadcaster has so far disbursed K1 million to Zed Entertainment TV towards the exclusive broadcasting licence for the series.

The payments were made between 16 May 2023 and 14 April 2025.

The broadcaster still owes K300,000, bringing the total contract value for the licence of 104 episodes to K1.3 million over a three-year period.

Editors claim non-payment

Despite these payments, some editors who worked on the series say they were never fully paid.

Malupande told MakanDay he was contracted to edit 26 episodes of Ifyapachalo at a cost of K13,000 but received only K1,000.

Another editor, Future Mangoti, also alleged non-payment despite completing the work.

“I was contracted to edit 26 episodes. My contract was valued at K13,000. I got paid nothing,” Mangoti said.

Contract documents reviewed by MakanDay show that on 31 August 2022, both editors signed contracts with Zed Entertainment TV in conjunction with Komboni Talent Hub.

The contract states that: “The editor shall edit 26 episodes for four weeks and shall be paid not more than 60 days upon completion of the job to the satisfaction of the client.”

Both editors say the payments were never made within the agreed timeframe.

Another editor who later joined the production after some crew members reportedly withdrew over payment disputes alleged that he edited episodes 64 to 104, valued at more than K12,000, but was never paid.

The editor told MakanDay that he had a verbal agreement to be paid K300 per episode.

Actors and crew raise similar allegations

Several actors and crew members interviewed by MakanDay also raised concerns about alleged underpayment or non-payment.

One actor who appeared in Ifyapachalo and also worked as a camera operator said he was only partially paid.

“My acting contract was valued at K4,000, but I was paid only K2,000,” he said.

He further claimed that although he filmed many scenes as a camera operator, the contract was never revised to reflect the additional role.

Another cast member, Gertrude Zimba, who both acted in the series and worked in the catering department, said she was also not fully paid.

“I was paid only K2000 out of a total of K8,000,” Zimba told MakanDay.

She said she signed two separate contracts, one for acting and another for catering services.

According to Zimba, she worked alone preparing meals for the entire production team.

“For over a month I worked sleepless nights to make sure everyone was fed and the dishes were cleaned,” she said.

However, she said she has struggled for years to reach the producer to follow up on the outstanding payments.

Salubusa respond’s

When contacted, Salubusa denied owing Zimba.

“Gertrude was engaged as an actress and is among those already paid,” he told MakanDay.

However, Salubusa declined to provide proof of payment, citing confidentiality.

He also disputed claims that Zimba worked in the catering department and advised her to submit documentation to Zed TV for verification.

Allegations extend to other productions

Several confidential sources told MakanDay that similar disputes arose in other productions linked to Salubusa, including Zamkombi, Faith and Paradise: The Junkie is Born.

Some of these productions were reportedly aired or premiered commercially, including screenings at NuMetro Cinema.

One actor who appeared in multiple productions said he was never paid.

“I featured in more than one film, yet I was paid nothing,” the source said.

The “Faith” production

The drama series Faith, produced between 2022 and 2023, was another production cited by actors raising payment concerns.

However, TopStar Communications Company Limited told MakanDay that the company did not fund or purchase the production.

In a letter to MakanDay, TopStar Public Relations Officer Joy Chula explained that TopStar entered into a barter agreement with Zed TV.

Under the agreement, Zed TV provided content to TopStar in exchange for the waiver of carriage fees for broadcasting Zed TV on the TopStar platform.

TopStar said it had no involvement in the contracts between Zed TV and actors involved in the production.

Production halted after payment disputes

One actor involved in the series told MakanDay that production reportedly stopped after the first season when cast members withdrew participation due to payment disputes.

“He kept promising contracts and payments, but nothing materialised,” the actor said.

Another source said the film had been produced on the expectation that a funder or buyer would eventually come on board.

“Exposure instead of payment”

Some actors claim they were told their participation would provide “exposure” rather than immediate payment.

“For some of us, acting in Ifyapachalo was presented as a film class exercise,” one actor said.

“He told us, ‘I am giving you exposure.’ That is how we were exploited.”

Some actors also said they attended free film classes offered by Salubusa but claimed the programme ended without certificates being issued.

Zed TV’s position

Salubusa told MakanDay that all actors were paid according to their agreements.

“As at 31 December 2025, all actors were paid in accordance with their agreements,” he said.

He also said Zed TV was not aware of any actors with outstanding balances.

Salubusa attributed delays in settling some payments to administrative issues involving an authorised company signatory who had reportedly been out of the country for medical reasons.

“Now that he is back, we will enable faster facilitation,” he said.

NAMA calls for fair pay in the film iindustry

The National Association of Media Arts (NAMA) says actors should never be expected to work without pay.

“NAMA rejects ‘exposure’ as payment for actors,” said NAMA President Morgan M’bulo.

M’bulo said the association encourages formal contracts and fair compensation in the film industry.

He added that the sector is currently working toward establishing a National Film Commission, which is expected to introduce regulatory standards, strengthen contract enforcement, and professionalise the industry.

The association also assists actors who raise concerns about alleged exploitation by advising them on mediation or legal options where necessary.

Unresolved disputes

Meanwhile, Salubusa says any crew members with outstanding claims should engage him directly to resolve the matter.

But for some actors and crew members, the dispute has already stretched for years.

Several told MakanDay they are still waiting to be paid.

Gibson is an intern at MakanDay under the Free Press Initiative (FPI)’s Journalism Graduate Internship Programme, which aims to promote excellence in journalism.