South African music producers, DJ Maphorisa and Kabza de Small, collectively known as Scorpion Kings, are currently facing legal troubles after being accused of stealing intellectual property. Thabiso Tshabalala, a seasoned event organizer, claims that the Scorpion Kings Live At Sun Arena event is his concept, and that the duo has profited from his idea without permission.
Tshabalala’s Background
As a seasoned professional in the entertainment industry, Tshabalala has organized several successful events, including the One Night With Sjava concert.
Allegations Against Scorpion Kings
Tshabalala alleges that he approached the Scorpion Kings in January 2020 with a proposal to host a show at Sun Bet Arena in Pretoria. According to Tshabalala, the musicians had agreed to equally share the proceeds from the event. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown, preparations for the event were halted.
Two years later, Tshabalala discovered that an event with the same name was being held at the same venue on 22 July. DJ Maphorisa and Kabza de Small allegedly ignored Tshabalala’s attempts to communicate for eight months after grossing R3 million from the event.
Response to Allegations
In response to these allegations, Tshabalala’s lawyer sent a letter to the Scorpion Kings, stating that their actions constituted a breach of the verbal agreement made with the DJ duo. The letter demanded payment of R1-million within 14 days; failure to comply would result in a summons being issued.
Additional Legal Troubles
In addition to the intellectual property controversy, DJ Maphorisa is also facing a gender-based violence (GBV) case filed against him by his girlfriend and actress, Thuli Phongolo. The case was postponed to 5 July as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) continues its investigation.
These legal disputes and allegations have cast a shadow over the Scorpion Kings’ career. While the duo navigates the complexities of intellectual property rights and personal allegations, their fans and the general public eagerly await the conclusion of these cases and any potential impacts on their future projects.
