South African actor Moshe Ndiki is leaving Gomora but according to the show’s producers, nowhere was it ever mentioned that the exit was permanent.
Why is Moshe Ndiki leaving ‘Gomora’?
In a statement quoted by Tshisa Live, Mzansi Magic head of local entertainment Shirley Adonisi confirmed that Ndiki’s exit from the 2022 SAFTA-nominated telenovela had nothing to do with his recent public spat with murder-accused gossiper Musa Khawula.
“The Faku suspension storyline was in place prior to the fight between Moshe and Musa thus it’s completely unrelated,” Adonisi said,
Ndiki played the role of Andile Faku, an eccentric high school teacher with a self-destructive gambling addiction.
According to the storyline, which was scripted well in advance of the infamous brawl, Faku’s shenanigans result in a suspension which effectively kicks Ndiki out of the show. However, Adonisi made it abundantly clear that while storylines change, “at no point [was it] said the ‘suspension’ is permanent.”
The statement from Mzansi Magic clarifies speculation that’s been doing the rounds on social media, alleging Gomora decided to axe Ndiki in response to a Change.org petition launched by Khawula.
“This behavior is unacceptable and criminal and I am wondering if Gomora supports this kind of behavior. Moshe Ndiki is an influencer and his behavior can never be tolerated and to have actors who are highly violent and influence young people to be just as violent,” Khawula wrote at the time.
It remains unclear if and when Ndiki will make his return to the telenovela. Speaking to Drum Magazine on his role, Ndiki had nothing but praise for the show’s producers, who he referred to as family.
“When I am there, it is like I am with family, it’s like I am chilling with my cousins and it’s all fun. Yes, work comes first but we are really made to feel at home. I honestly do not mind waking up at 4am to get to work,” he said at the time.