The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has confirmed that a case of fraud alternatively theft was opened with regards to the so-called Heritage Fund as reported by the complainant.
This came after, ANC Veteran and businessman Tokyo Sexwale revealed that funds from the Heritage Fund which he has been heading has been stolen.
During a media briefing, this afternoon Sexwale told the media that he needed to bring more clarity on the Heritage Fund.
He said he realised that the money which was donated by a man from Asia was being stolen, he wrote to the Reserve Bank governor, Lesetja Kganyago telling him fraud and money laundering were happening in the South African Reserve Bank regarding the funds.
He said he handed documents to Kganyago with proof of money laundering and fraud from within the bank but the governor never got back to him.
He alleged that Kganyago then stopped taking his calls.
He also added that Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni and President Cyril Ramaphosa have also not been responding to his messages.
When asked how much was the money stolen, He said money he said the zeros were more than eight but couldn't say how much exactly.
Sexwale said the Heritage fund is not SA money it is from Asia where he takes his mandate from.
He said? the fund is based in Singapore and is owned by a Chinese man named Chuck Leong
He said he is blocked to access the account where the money is being kept.
According to Sexwale when the money went to the Reserve bank it was later transferred to 18 commercial banks of the well-known people in South Africa.
"We are aware of some of the names of the people who own those bank accounts, Some are high officials in the country," he said.? ?
Sexwale said? he warned President Cyril Ramaphosa that the money had been deposited into illegal accounts in other countries including the UAE.?
He said that was the reason they went to report the matter to the police.
"We need help to investigate what happened to the funds," he said
Sexwale said the money was enough to help fix the societal issues.
He said? President Cyril Ramaphosa and former, Jacob Zuma, were? aware of this fund.
"The fund can help the students, for free education in this country.? Zuma knew about the fund in 2016. Cyril knew about the fund at that time that's why comrade Zuma spoke about free education, not government money," he said.
He said there are people on Twitter, and he hopes they are listening, who are saying he is doing this because he wants to be president.?
"I am 68 years old, the same age as Cyril. I have done my time. I have served the people. Underground, ANC army, as premier of this great province," he said.
Hawks spokeswoman Colonel Katlego Mogale said regarding the issue it is too early in the investigation to speculate as to who the role players are.
She said it is not the norm of the DPCI to reveal names of suspects or persons of interest before allegations are properly investigated and such suspects have been before the court.
