‘Big Brother Mzansi’ runner-up Thandeka Tshabalala isn’t holding back after losing to Liema Pantsi, claiming the game was rigged.
Image: X
It seems like "Big Brother Mzansi: Bazozwa" runner-up Thandeka Tshabalala is not holding back following her loss to Liema Pantsi.
After coming in second in season six, Tshabalala has now made explosive claims about the show, alleging that it was rigged.
Pantsi was announced as the winner on Sunday, March 22, in Sandton during the finale watch party, walking away with the R2 million grand prize after a tough season.
Tshabalala opened up during an appearance on “Podcast and Chill” with Mac G and Sol Phenduka, where she spoke about her experience in the house and what she believes happened behind the scenes.
In clips that have since gone viral, Tshabalala claimed that production edited footage in a way that painted her as the villain, while presenting Pantsi in a more positive light.
“Big Brother Mzansi” is a live show that airs for 24 hours, seven days a week.
“It’s the truth. To come out and find out that some of the things were cut, and I was made to be the villain, and then uLiema is obviously, like dainty, dainty.
“But it’s fine. But it was rigged from the inside, the punishments they handed down. Come on now, everybody is serving a punishment, but I’m the one who’s wearing amaunicorns, etcetera. You’re obviously making me a target in the house, but I don’t know, maybe for shock value,” she said.
She also pointed to the final voting margin as part of her reasoning, noting that the difference between her and Pantsi was just 3%.
Mac G, who hosted the interview, agreed with Tshabalala’s claims, saying it was clear to him that production was favouring Pantsi. He then publicly denounced the result.
“Public service announcement. As the spokesperson of the chillers nation, we would like to denounce the current win of 'Big Brother'. We do not recognise her.
"As a matter of fact, production, wherever you are, report yourself to the nearest police station for crime against humanity. What was done on Sunday should never happen on our watch,” he said.
Another layer to the conversation is that Mac G is not entirely removed from the show, as his alcoholic beverage, Chillers Punch, was one of the sponsors this season.
Tshabalala has remained vocal even after the show, continuing to stand by her “Bazozwa Queen” title and her unapologetic approach to the game.
During her time in the house, she made it clear that she would not water herself down, often finding herself at the centre of conversations.
Her journey was marked by strong opinions, clashes with other housemates and moments that divided viewers, but she has maintained that this is simply who she is.
Since the interview aired, social media has been split. Some viewers agree with her claims and believe she was treated unfairly, while others feel she is struggling to accept the outcome of the show.
X user @Ashley234731357 commented: “Give Thandeka her money please, she won .”
“Making assumptions based on views is absolutely ridiculous really,” said @o_yaaya.
One of Tshabalala’s fans, @nicolett_nyambe, commented: “This is not the way to handle things. It makes you look like a sore loser. Focus on yourself. You have so much potential, honestly. The world awaits you. Go and thrive! You might not have won, but you are a winner. Don’t be bitter. ”
@EMILE22115 added: “Nothing was cut. BBM is aired for 24 hours, and if anything, Thandeka and Mmeli got the most screen time so why was cut???”