MultiChoice's French owner 'pickpockets' local suppliers

Cut 20% off bill or you won't be paid, firm threatens

- By Mawande AmaShabalala

French media giant Canal+ Group, the new owner of MultiChoice, is being accused of strong-arming its suppliers by demanding they retrospectively cut their invoices by 20% or face not being paid.

This dramatic and abrupt decision to freeze payments has shocked not only the suppliers but also internal staff in Randburg, who have run out of explanations, barely two months after Canal+, which is headed by Maxime Saada, took over.

According to suppliers, there was no consultation or timely warning. They said they received a communication from the finance division demanding that 20% be cut from all invoices, both submitted and future, before any are paid.

To make matters worse, the discount has also been imposed on students/interns who are part of the MultiChoice family as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa's youth employment service.

The new owner insists that this decision was made way before they acquired the company.