Special Investigating Unit head, Advocate Andy Mothibi.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has said well-known South African fashion designer Thula Sindi allegedly benefitted from irregular grant payments from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) in 2018.
This comes amid an investigation into corruption and maladministration at the NLC that cost the organisation and government more than R1 billion. Sindi was named alongside acclaimed actress Moitheri “Terry” Pheto, famed for her role in Oscar-winning film Tsotsi, and Pheto’s sister, Dimakatso. Pheto has previously denied involvement in the alleged fraud.
According to the SIU, questionable contracts worth R1.4 billion have been flagged since the investigation began in October 2020 – and what the SIU believes to be a massive syndicate is being probed. However, three years into the investigation, and despite extensive seizures, authorities say just R3.9 million has been recovered through forfeited assets.
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