By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Media Personality Minnie Dlamini has agreed to repay R50 000 to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which she unlawfully received from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).
Dlamini received the money through the Mshandukani Foundation NPO. The NPO illegally received the R24.8 million funding from the NLC.
In 2016, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) applied for funding on behalf of the foundation, claiming it would support Olympic awareness events nationwide. Despite the foundation’s lack of track record, the NLC approved R24.98-million
The NLC paid the money to SASCOC, which then transferred it to the foundation in three tranches.
Dlamini was one of the beneficiaries of funds irregularly received from the Mshandukani Foundation.
In terms of the settlement agreement, the 35-year-old actress and TV presenter has agreed to repay the full amount of R50,000 she received in 2016.
The SIU argued that the funds were not used for their intended purposes and said Dlamini admitted that the she received money illegally.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said Dlamini, has fully cooperated with the investigation and has acknowledged that the funds were not lawfully due to her. The repayment forms part of the SIU’s broader efforts to recover misappropriated public funds and hold all recipients of irregular payments accountable, regardless of the amount involved.”
He said the corruption watchdog will continue to throw the book at those who unduly benefited from state funds.
“The recovered funds will be returned to the National Lotteries Commission for redistribution to lawful beneficiaries in line with its mandate to support good causes.”
This forms part of an ongoing investigation by the SIU, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020 to probe plundering and dodgy deals in the affairs of the NLC.
The proclamation gives the SIU powers to recover any financial losses suffered by the state.
Meanwhile the former head of the NLC Alfred Nevhutanda is challenging the legality of the proclamation in a court case. He claims that it should be reviewed and set aside because the NLC is not a state entity.
This has been opposed by the SIU. The ongoing litigation is delaying the possible forfeiture of millions of rands of assets – including Nevhutanda’s R27-million house in Pretoria – already preserved as “proceeds of crime”.