If you thought that Terry Pheto, Carol Bouwer, Arthur Mafokete, and Presley Chweneyagae were the only beneficiaries of the alleged National Lotteries scam and embezzlement of monies meant for the poor, you are wrong. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has revealed they are investigating over 15 000 Non-Profit organisations (NGOs) who are suspected to have benefitted unlawfully from the foundation. The SIU is also investigating using Data Analysts to investigate Fort Hare University, Road Accident Fund, NSFAS along with the NLC.
INVESTIGATING IN PHASES
Non-Profit and Non-Government organisations are meant to serve the needy, but through the National Lotteries, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has discovered that this is not the case in South Africa. The SIU is gearing up for the next phase of the investigations into the NLC scams and is implicating 100 organisations coming into focus. The first phase was to look at the grants to the value of more than R200 million. The second phase was also valued at R200 million while the third phase will commence soon. SIU will investigate NPOs that benefited R905 million. SIU head Advocate Mothibi told Newzroom Afrika that there are further developments involving high profile individuals. "These are billions rands that were meant to be used to benefit the poor," he says. "Grants have been given irregularly and corruptly to certain NPCs and NPOs and in the process, we plan to uncover those who benefitted unlawfully and reveal those people who were responsible internally to process all of this," he says.
SOUTH AFRICAN CELEBRITIES IMPLICATED
The investigations aim to expose NPOs and NGOs which are shams and were beneficiaries of R1.4 billion. GroundUp investigative journalist Raymond Joseph exposed the scheme's alleged corruption. "What was happening is that money was being washed through accounts. Millions would be paid to an organisation and then paid to another organisation," Joseph says. South African celebrities whose organisations were exposed to have allegedly benefitted unlawfully include actress Terry Pheto, music executive Arthur Mafokate, actor Presley Chweneyagae, and businesswoman Carol Bouwer to name a few.
Terry Pheto: Actress and businesswoman Terry Pheto's home was auctioned for R3.9 million after she unlawfully received R1 million from the money meant to host a youth awards ceremony. Recently, Terry was implicated in another lottery scandal with former National Lottery COO Phillemon Letwaba, his wife and others.They allegedly paid money meant for youth development into their business accounts. The actress allegedly spent the money on her lavish lifestyle of appearing as a successful actress.
Arthur Mafokate: A whistleblower brought kwaito musician and 999 Music owner, Arthur Mafokate into the spotlight detailing how Arthur syphoned the National Lottery Commission (NLC) funds. In the affidavit which may bring Arthur to his knees, the non-profit organisation that was used to syphon the NLC funds, also benefitted his ex-girlfriends Chomee and CiCi. It is alleged that Arthur registered an NPO with the Department of Social Services in 2012. This organisation was formed with the following people: Arthur Mafokate (Chairperson), Thulisile Jean Madihlaba(Treasurer), Mokoma Rita Mafokate (DSG), Valentine Mamaila and Abigail Sithole, which was "unlawful and illegal. Mokoena was the secretary of the NPO.
Carol Bouwer: Businesswoman Carol Bouwer is also said to have benefitted unlawfully from NLC. Carol is one of the three directors of a non profitable organisation named Venalor and is reported to have received funds from NLC. The other two directors Athina Christians and Hazel Sithole received R4.7 million, R2 million, and R292 300 respectively in the 2018/2019 financial year through the NPO. Venalor allegedly received a further R100 000 grant from the NLC as part of the COVID-19 Relief Fund which was intended to help non-profit organisation sstruggling to stay afloat during the pandemic.
Presley Chweneyagae: The River actor Presley Chweneyagae was implicated in the first R15 million. It is reported that the Presley Chweneyagae Foundation, for the play which was co-written and co-directed by Chwenengayaea nd Tshepo Ratona titled Taking Back The Future, benefitted unlawfully with actors Zenzo Ngqobe, Tshireletso Nkoane, Boitumelo "Chuck" Shisana, and Segomotso Modise. The play was meant to highlight the drug crisis in South Africa but the play never made it out of Mahikeng, following its premiere and five-day run in June 2017.
