In a dramatic escalation of one of South Africa’s most significant corruption probes, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained a sweeping preservation order from the High Court to freeze multi-million-rand assets—including luxury homes, high-end vehicles, and vast sums of cash—linked to the sprawling National Lotteries Commission (NLC) scandal. The latest phase of the investigation has implicated beneficiaries with prominent public profiles, most notably a foundation connected to acclaimed actor Presley Chweneyagae.
Chweneyagae, who rose to international fame after starring in the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi, is linked to the investigation through the Presley Chweneyagae Foundation. According to SIU documents, the foundation allegedly received approximately R15 million in grants from the NLC between 2018 and 2021. Investigators assert that these disbursements were “highly irregular,” with funds intended for community development and social upliftment projects instead allegedly diverted for personal enrichment and unexplained expenditures.
The SIU’s latest court order targets properties described as “luxury estates” in upmarket suburbs of Johannesburg and Pretoria, several high-performance vehicles, and bank accounts containing millions of rands. These assets are believed to have been acquired directly or indirectly with funds misappropriated from the NLC.
“This is not about targeting individuals, but about following the money and recovering what rightfully belongs to the people of South Africa,” said SIU Head Advocate Andy Mothibi in a press briefing. “The evidence suggests a deliberate scheme to funnel money meant for the poor and vulnerable into lavish lifestyles. The preservation order is a critical step to prevent the dissipation of these assets while we prepare for final forfeiture and criminal proceedings.”
The investigation, authorized by a presidential proclamation, has been uncovering systemic corruption at the NLC for several years. It alleges a network of individuals—including former NLC board members, executives, and grant recipients—colluded to siphon off hundreds of millions of rands through fictitious non-profit organizations and inflated project costs.
In a statement released through his legal representative, Presley Chweneyagae acknowledged his foundation’s receipt of NLC funding but strongly denied any personal wrongdoing or knowledge of irregularities. “The Presley Chweneyagae Foundation was established with the genuine intention of supporting youth and arts development in underserved communities. We cooperated fully with the SIU’s initial inquiries and believed all processes were above board. We are reviewing the details of these serious allegations and will take all appropriate steps to clear my name and the foundation’s reputation,” the statement read.
The latest developments mark a significant moment in the long-running scandal, demonstrating the SIU’s commitment to pursuing high-profile beneficiaries and recovering assets. Civil society organizations, which have long decried the looting of lottery funds, have welcomed the move.
“For years, money meant for old-age homes, addiction support, and sports facilities for children has been stolen in plain sight,” said Faith Mazibuko of the watchdog group #SaveTheLotto. “Seeing luxury homes frozen is a powerful signal that impunity is ending. But this must be followed by decisive prosecutions.”
The matter is expected to return to court in early 2026, where the SIU will seek a final order for the assets to be permanently forfeited to the state. The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that parallel criminal investigations are ongoing, with charges likely to follow.
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