Cape Town – Love Island UK bosses will be adding to the fee of R24 million to hire a mansion in Franschhoek in order to bring the show to Mzansi for a season, allocating additional funds to beef up security amid fears of kidnap crime gangs in South Africa.
According to The Sun UK, the Ludus Magnus resort will host the singles hoping to find love in the New Year’s winter edition of the show.
The Daily Mail reports that ITV hired armed guards to protect the contestants and crew while they shoot the show in Franschoek.
A source reportedly told The Sun UK that “the security of both the contestants and crew is of our utmost concern and must come first”.
“There is a hotline into the local police station and private armed response companies so if any threat is larger than expected, the heavy cavalry would be on their way in seconds,” the source reportedly added.
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“The aim is to make Ludus as secure as possible, without terrifying the contestants.
“We want them to feel relaxed and feel comfortable during the show. ”
The insider added that all the production crew coming in and out of Ludus will have armed escorts.
“They will also be given security briefings on what dangers to look for and what to do in worst-case scenarios.”
According to reports, the show was initially planned to be shot in Constantia, but that plan was scrapped because Constantia is allegedly too close to the Cape Flats ‘where murder and rape is rife’.
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
