Controversy has struck the set of S3’s Wheel of Fortune South Africa, as a dispute over winnings has left one contestant feeling scammed and betrayed. Courtney Mthethwa, also known as XXC Legacy, teamed up with Sanele “Skhindi” Ngcobo and Lwazi Cele to compete on the popular game show. The trio emerged victorious, winning a car valued at R180,000.
However, Mthethwa alleges that Cele, who had the car registered in his name as per their agreement, sold the vehicle for R170,000 without sharing the proceeds with his teammates. Despite attempts to contact Cele, he has cut off communication and made it clear that he has no intention of splitting the money.
In a statement to The Citizen, Mthethwa expressed her feelings of betrayal and disappointment, emphasizing that the money would have been life-changing for all three of them. She lamented the fact that Cele had taken advantage of their agreement and acted selfishly, leaving them feeling scammed.
Efforts to reach Cele have been unsuccessful, as he has made his social media accounts private and his phone goes straight to voicemail. The show producers, Homebrew Films, have acknowledged the dispute but stated that it is a private matter between the contestants. They clarified that the prize distribution followed the show’s rules and format, and any personal agreements between contestants are outside the production’s control.
All contestants sign contracts before participating in the show, outlining the rules and guidelines for prize distribution. The production team maintains that they strictly adhere to these rules and ensure that the game is conducted in accordance with the show’s format. While they understand the concerns raised by Mthethwa, they have refrained from intervening, as the dispute is considered a private matter among the contestants.
The incident has left Mthethwa feeling disheartened and betrayed, as she had entered the competition with hopes of a breakthrough for all three of them. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the importance of clear communication and trust among teammates in high-stakes competitions.
