IN its continued effort to recover all stolen funds from the cash strapped National Lotteries Commission (NLC), the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has succeeded in obtaining a preservation order against an NLC official in KZN.
The order was issued by the Special Tribunal which will allow the SIU to freeze about R2,4 million in four bank accounts held by the official and his wife, pending a final decision on a civil action to be filed by the unit within 60 days.
Under the order dated 13 September 2023, suspended NLC official Sibonelo Vilakazi, his wife Nosipho Zanele Zuma and 05 ZZET ENTERPRISES (PTY) LTD, which is solely owned by Zuma, are prohibited from dealing in any way with funds in the frozen bank accounts.
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According to SIU spokesman Kaizer Kganyago, the money was deposited into the accounts by non-profit organisations that received funding from the NLC to improve the lives of ordinary South Africans but ended up in the bank accounts for their own enrichment.
Kganyago said an SIU investigation into the NLC's affairs revealed that Vilakazi had approached daycare centres and football clubs in KZN to apply for grants.
He said immediately after receiving the funds, the football clubs and daycare centres transferred large sums to the bank account of 05 ZZET ENTERPRISES (PTY) LTD and the accounts of Zuma and Vilakazi.
Kganyago said the SIU was empowered under President Cyril Ramaphosa's Proclamation R32 of 2020 to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of the NLC and the conduct of NLC officials and recover any financial losses incurred by the state.
"The SIU is empowered by the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 to institute civil action in the Special Tribunal or the High Court to redress any misconduct it uncovers in its investigations.
"The SIU refers evidence pointing to criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action," he said.
In recent years, several individuals and their companies have faced the wrath of the SIU, such as Oscar winner Terry Pheto and kwaito legend Arthur Mafokate, as well as some of the prominent people accused of stealing from the NLC.
