The SIU is on phase three of its investigations, scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2025.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says its work at the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) is not yet done.
SIU head Andy Mothibi on Tuesday briefed the standing committee on public accounts on the investigation into the NLC.
In November 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the SIU to investigate the NLC and recover any losses.
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The SIU divided its investigations into three phases.
The estimated value of the matters investigated in the first and second phases is R279.7 million and R246.6 million, respectively. The SIU has completed investigations in these phases.
Phase three, which is ongoing, has an estimated value of R905.9 million. It has an estimated date of completion of 31 December 2025.
The value of contracts under investigation with potential civil litigation is about R2 billion. However, the SIU has recovered only R9.5 million of this.
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The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has issued preservation orders amounting to R78.2 million, while the Special Tribunal’s preservation orders stand at R37.3 million.
At least R6.3 million in pension has been frozen.
SIU probe into NLC
According to Mothibi, between 2020 and 2024, 22 individuals and entities were referred to the NPA for criminal prosecution related to fraud, corruption and money laundering.
At least 15 persons have been identified as alleged key players in the NLC corruption, including the former board chair, Alfred Nevhutanda, who has approached the courts in an attempt to get the SIU off his back and former chief operations officer Phillemon Letwaba, who is challenging the constitutionality of the Special Tribunal’s preservation order against him.
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According to the SIU, the key players were allegedly able to access NLC funds due to inadequate project management, a lack of monitoring and evaluation, ineffective project auditing techniques, general maladministration in the approval of the grants and corrupt elements.
Seven directors and 14 companies have been referred to the CIPC for being placed on the delinquency list and for being barred from registering companies with the CIPC in the future.
But the SIU is not done with the NLC yet. Mothibi told parliament the unit has drafted a motivation for a proclamation after receiving several procurement allegations
The motivation will be submitted to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development for further processing.
The SIU has also submitted the first Presidential progress report to the Presidency.
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