It's understandable why yellow may be a trigger to some these days.
To others, the yellow infographics on the website of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) are a signal that social media is about to become a very interesting place.
#SIUWorkingForYou|LOTTO HEIST: SIU completes 90% of phase two in the NLC investigation and makes new revelations. (Infographics to follow) pic.twitter.com/7eAY8u3KUR
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) February 14, 2024
The National Lottery Commission (NLC) heist has been big news since a few popular celebrities were implicated in the misappropriation of funds. The NLC is suspected of serious maladministration and corruption.
The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority secured a preservation order after the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) was directed by the President to investigate certain specified matters listed in the proclamation for the period 2014 to now.
This after the widespread corruption, fraud, theft, and contraventions of the Lotteries Act were discovered by the SIU against officials of the NLC and certain Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) who applied for NLC grants and worked in concert with each other to defraud the NLC.
Read more | EXPLAINER | Inside auction of Terry Pheto home ‘bought’ with NLC cash meant for circumcision projects
Prominent people and their families have been linked to this web of corruption, including Moitheri ‘Terry’ Pheto, Arthur Mafokate, Terry's Tsotsi co-star, Presley Chweneyagae and, most recently, designer Thula Sindi, who is close friends with Terry.
Thula allegedly received R140 000 from the NLC-approved grant of R5 million from Zibisibix Non-Profit Company for a chicken farm in December 2018.
The usually outspoken fashion designer had not publicly addressed the matter since news broke earlier this week. Approached for comment by Drum, he said: “I am consulting with my legal team and will respond in due course.”
Speaking to News24 on Friday, Thula said that the probe was a "sensationalist, malicious and harmful campaign" against him.
"Sindi said he had been a project consultant for the project for 12 months and charged the 'bare minimum' for travel, printing, telephone and research costs.
"He said he had often consulted with those in the business, charity and creative space, and is well-known within the community to offer his services," the news outlet reported.
"I am a simple person, I am not a greedy person and I detest corruption, as it is well known of me," he is quoted as saying.
According to the SIU, the money was moved to eight accounts, two of which belonged to Terry Pheto – a director of the companies. Her sister, Dimakatso Pheto, is also alleged to have benefited and it has also been revealed that a farm was purchased for the benefit of Dimakatso.
“The farm was purchased for R850 000, and the SIU found that the former chairperson of the NLC board Prof Alfred Nevhutanda signed the offer to purchase the farm in the Vaal area,” reads the SIU statement.
In the first phase of the investigation, Pheto's house which is now bought by new owners was on auction according to the investigation unit, a continuation of the implementation of its investigation outcomes and consequence management in order to either recuperate assets and financial losses sustained by State institutions or prevent additional losses.
Read more | 'This is a difficult time for me' – Terry Pheto promises to cooperate with SIU lotteries fraud probe
Presley Chweneyagae's company, South African Youth Movement (SAYM), applied for grant funding on behalf of the Presley Chweneyagae Foundation.
The SIU investigations are still ongoing.
