Sport, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie has criticised the cast and crew of BET Africa’s telenovela Queendom for the way they sought help from the department.

The cast and crew, who claim to have not been paid since October, expressed outrage in an open letter, accusing McKenzie of silence and inaction.

“You watch silently as our industry lurches from one diabolical crisis to the next,” the letter read. “So here we sit, in front of you in our hundreds. Background actors, cast and crew of Queendom. Unpaid, lied to, played and screwed. The result of your silence and indifference.

“McKenzie appeared as a herald of change. Brash, outspoken, opinionated, but silent on how we’re supposed to protect our livelihoods. Silent on how to face another payment delay — now the third since the end of October.

“Is this your Christmas present to us, besides Chris Brown concert tickets? Is this your legacy, ‘minister of happiness’? When will we be paid?”

Responding, McKenzie said he was never directly approached for help.

“This approach helps no-one. The National School of the Arts wrote to us, respectfully, and we helped them. Who among you approached me first? Now I’m catching smoke because I gave people concert tickets. Is this really how to ask for help?” McKenzie said.

This approach helps no one. The National School of the Arts wrote to us, respectfully, and we helped them. Who among you approached me first? Now I’m catching smoke because I gave people concert tickets. Is this really how to ask for help? https://t.co/xCHrv4UgQo

— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) December 18, 2024

The Queendom cast and crew called for industry regulation, citing exploitation.

“We have the Queendom camera, wardrobe, continuity, hair and makeup departments, unit, assistant directors, cast and background actors, all waiting, hoping that somewhere, somehow, there is a channel executive with enough common sense and a brief moment of sobriety to stand up and trigger the payments that are long overdue to hundreds of us.

“We’re the ones facing the inescapable pit of a bleak festive season. We’re the ones facing our disbelieving families, unpaid rent, food bills and your stony silence.”

This story will be updated with BET Africa’s comment when received.