What gets us hooked on international TV dramas such as CSI, Law & Order, Rookie Blue and The Mentalist? We have a lot of original material right here at home if the daily headlines could be used as a source for storylines. Our actors are good so there should be no reason why South Africa can’t produce its own world class crime drama series.

This is possibly the reality the Zero Tolerance producers faced when they came up with the idea for the show. As with CSI, Zero Tolerance is about an elite group of law enforcers who are modelled around the Scorpions.

One of these cops is youngster Similo Mtshali, played by Meshack Mavuso, who is a loose cannon who has a penchant for violence.

“I was very fit for this role. Similo is a young detective who loves guns, style and the ladies. He loves to show off, but is good at his job, too,” reminisced Mavuso.

With most of us knowing him as Vusi Matabane from the SABC3 soapie Isidingo, it is interesting that Mavuso agreed to a role quite different from how we have come to know him.

“I loved it because it was different. When I choose a role, I always try to find a way to make it real by having a kasi (township) aspect to it. Similo was just that. A young man from the kasi who rose to be a crime-fighting cop.

“Even Vusi from Isidingo has that side to him where he has some ‘kasi-ness’ despite his having a top job in Horizon Deep.

“This helps me be in touch with that boy or girl in the township who wants to become something great in life. They will say: ‘if Similo or Vusi did it, why can’t I?’

“Also, when I am out and about as Meshack I don’t get people fussing over the celebrity status. I am just one of them,” he said.

Zero Tolerance is said to bear the stamp of brilliance of American writers David Simon and David Mills, who between them have written and produced shows such as Homicide, The Corner, Picket Fences, NYPD Blue and ER.

“The production quality of this show is something that you do not see on South African television. It is on the same level with a show like Sokhulu and Partners. The rest can’t compare,” he said.

As was seen in Sokhulu and Partners, Zero Tolerance uses real South African stories, but changes the identities of those who were involved to protect their rights. This further captures the authenticity of the storytelling.

“This is a relevant production to South Africa today because it deals with what’s going on now.

“We need to move away from stories like who is bewitching whom, or whose wife is committing adultery. Our stories should be on a par with the rest of the world,” said Mavuso.

He explained that this show is not only meant for crime fans, but for every South African as it teaches about human rights and the country’s constitution.

l Zero Tolerance premieres next Wednesday on SABC3 at 9pm.

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