Cape Town – South African multi award-winning musician, Makhadzi’s record label Open Mic Productions has responded to claims made by sneaker brand Khokhova Kicks against the singer for breach of contract.
Reports said that the sneaker brand filed a lawsuit against Makhadzi, real name Ndivhudzannyi Ralivhona, alleging that she failed to promote the brand as agreed.
As part of the partnership agreement Makhadzi had to wear the brand during her performances and promote the sneakers on her social media platforms, reports said.
Kicks Sportwear which produced the Khokhova Kicks allegedly filed the millions worth lawsuit at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court and stated the partnership agreement, reported Sunday World.
The report said the lawsuit alleged that Makhadzi did not honour the partnership agreement.
“The plaintiff, therefore, claims damages for the following: The units of shoes in the warehouse being 6 900 pairs, less 20 pairs, sold in Limpopo, thus being 6 880 shoes at the retail price they would have sold, for if first and second defendants did not breach the partnership agreement, thus amounting to R8 249 120,” the report quoted the papers.
However, in a statement, the record label alleged that Kicks Sportswear was in breach of its contractual obligation from day one.
Official Press Release pic.twitter.com/TWqJ9ekz9x
— Open Mic Productions /?? (@OpenMicProdSA) September 21, 2022
The statement said that the agreement worth R120 million with the complainant was entered into in October last year because at the time the value projections made sense financially and legally.
Open Mic Production alleged that the sneakers were launched despite their concerns over low stock.
“Several attempts were made by Open Mic Productions to assist the supplier to honour the obligation of delivering the goods. In terms of the contract, the complainant was to provide 8 000 pairs of shoes on a monthly basis and that has not happened to this date,” read the statement.
The label also stated that they enquired about the complainant’s capacity but he insisted that he would manage and provide the complainant with Makhadzi’s weekly schedule so that he could arrange activations around the country to increase the sale of the shoes.
A number of attempts made to find an amicable solution have lapsed.
“Even at this stage we reached out to the complainant and his lawyers to see if we could save the project considering that the agreement was to lapse in a few months, the discussions did not yield any meaningful results,” said Open Mic Productions.
The label said it was puzzled by this claim of R8 million, considering that Makhadzi had lost earnings due to the fact that she had been exclusively tied to the deal and as such missed other opportunities.
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Picture: Facebook/ Makhadzi
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
