There seems to be a bit of confusion surrounding actor Zolisa Xaluva’s departure from the show Smoke & Mirrors as he reportedly believes negotiations are still in place for the show’s second season. However, producers have come out and confirmed that Zolisa will not be returning to the show.
Final Chapter Productions, the production company responsible for Smoke & Mirrors, shared with Sunday World on Thursday that the two parties have indeed parted ways.
A statement by Thapelo Ramatsui, marketing and communications specialist at e.tv (the channel the show is broadcast on), read, “At the onset of the new season of Smoke & Mirrors, the producers of Final Chapter Productions came to a resolution to amicably part ways with Zolisa Xaluva. Zolisa has been an asset to the show in his role as Caesar Ngonyama, and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavours.”
However, while speaking to SowetanLIVE, Zolisa shared, “Negotiations are still ongoing for season two between the parties involved. The contract for season one has ended, so the word fired is incorrect.”
He added that he was unaware of the news that his character on the show would be recast. “This is show business; one has to have a thick skin and deal calmly with matters as they arise.”
SowetanLIVE informed e.tv of Zolisa being unaware of his departure.
Thapelo reaffirmed, “We stand with the reason for Zolisa’s departure to be on an amicable basis between the actor and production. The character of Caesar will be recast going into the second season of the show. Our other actors remain integral parts of the show. No further negotiations are planned.”
Also see: Zolisa Xaluva reportedly fired from Smoke and Mirrors