Media personality Dineo Ranaka is involved in drama yet again. She is being taken to court by cruise company MSC Cruises SA for failing to pay over R3.4 million according to a source. The luxury trip to Portuguese islands turned into a disaster.
It seems chartering a multimillion-rand cruise has landed Ranaka in hot water once again. MSC Cruises is now seeking a high court judgment to recoup its funds.
Geneva-based cruise operator MSC Cruises contracted Ranaka’s company Smilz, along with businessman Denzel Govender, to hire the MSC Orchestra cruise liner in September 2022. The total charter fee agreed was over R7.5 million.
However, MSC Cruises alleges that Smilz and Govender failed to pay the full amount owed. After the disaster cruise took place earlier this year, an outstanding balance of R3.4 million remains unpaid despite repeated requests.
MSC is now filing a “provincial summons” order requiring Ranaka, Govender and Smilz to appear in the Johannesburg High Court. The company is seeking to recover the outstanding debt and late payment penalties.
Luxury Cruise Turned Into Disaster According to Celebrities who took the trip.
The cruise in question was billed as a luxury tropical getaway for local celebrities. However, passengers complained of poor organization, inadequate food, and substandard lodging arrangements once on board.
The public relations nightmare would have further compounded MSC’s financial losses from the charter agreement nonpayment.
Dineo Ranaka is a household name in South Africa, having hosted various television and radio shows. However, this latest lawsuit adds to a growing list of failed business projects.
Key Takeaways: Dineo Ranaka Cruise Lawsuit
- A balance of over R3.4 million remains unpaid after the disastrous cruise
- MSC now taking legal action to recover debt from Ranaka and associates
- The media personality has a string of past business failures and credit issues
- Luxury cruise turned into PR nightmare according to a source
The court case will bring further limelight onto Dineo Ranaka’s troubled business dealings. Meanwhile, MSC Cruises will want its multi-million rand payments recovered following the charter agreement breach.
