The Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) has dismissed an urgent application by Rain Queen Masalanabo Modjadji and the Balobedu royal family to stop MultiChoice and M-Net from airing the Balobedu-inspired drama series Queen Modjadji, reports News24.

After hearing arguments on urgency, acting Judge Jacques Minnaar dismissed the application yesterday afternoon. 

Minnaar found that there was a lack of urgency and that he could not comprehend how the legacy, dignity and rights of the applicants would be infringed by a work of fiction.

The incumbent queen approached the court on an urgent basis, asking for an interim interdict preventing the airing of the series and a full copy of what she termed as the documentary.

The series is meant to air this Sunday on Mzansi Magic.

TimesLIVE reports that Advocate Terry Motau SC, representing MultiChoice, argued in court that the Balobedu Royal Council was not entitled to the relief they were seeking.

He said the series could not cause harm to them because it did not concern them. 

Motau argued the series was set in the context of events that occurred more than 200 years ago, and based on characters and plots from that time.

Motau said interdicting the broadcast would amount to an unjustified prior restraint and financial loss.

Advocate Louis Kok, representing the Balobedu Royal Council, said the airing of the series would infringe on the Balobedu queen's rights.

A member of the royal family and its representative, Mathole Motshekga, said the family would consult with lawyers on the way forward.

Full New24 report

Full TimesLIVE report