Key Takeaways
- The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained a preservation order to freeze a Pretoria property linked to late actor Presley Chweneyagae in a National Lotteries Commission (NLC) corruption case.
- The property was purchased for R889,000, allegedly siphoned from a R15 million NLC grant meant to fund youth arts programs.
- The SIU’s investigation found that the grant was channelled through a company owned by Chweneyagae to acquire the private residence.
- The court order prohibits the sale, transfer, or disposal of the home until the SIU’s civil proceedings are finalized.
- The SIU’s primary mission is to recover proceeds from beneficiaries of NLC grant funding who are involved in unlawful activities and restore the State’s financial losses.
Introduction to the Corruption Case
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has made a significant breakthrough in a National Lotteries Commission (NLC) corruption case, obtaining a preservation order from the Special Tribunal to freeze a Pretoria property linked to late actor Presley Chweneyagae. The property, purchased for R889,000, is alleged to have been siphoned from a R15 million NLC grant meant to fund youth arts programs. This development is a crucial step in the SIU’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability, particularly in cases involving the misuse of public funds.
The Role of Presley Chweneyagae in the Scandal
According to SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, the NLC grant was approved for the Southern African Youth Movement NPO, represented by Alfred Sigudla, and was subsequently channelled through Domestic Baboon (Pty) Ltd, a company solely owned by the late Presley Chweneyagae. Chweneyagae, who passed away on May 27, 2025, was a renowned actor known for his leading roles in films such as Tsotsi and The River. The SIU’s investigation found that the grant was used to acquire the private residence, which is now the subject of the preservation order. This raises questions about the extent of Chweneyagae’s involvement in the corruption scandal and whether he was aware of the unlawful activities surrounding the NLC grant.
The Preservation Order and Its Implications
The preservation order, handed down by Judge M Victor on December 18, 2025, is directed against Ms Charlaine Christinah Chweneyagae, in her personal capacity and as Executrix of her late husband’s estate, as well as Mr Alfred Muzwakhe Sigudla, the Southern African Youth Movement NPO, Domestic Baboon (Pty) Ltd, and others. The order prohibits the sale, transfer, lease, encumbrance, or disposal of the home until the SIU’s civil proceedings are finalized. This move is significant, as it prevents the potential beneficiaries of the corruption from benefiting from the ill-gotten gains and allows the SIU to recover the proceeds of the unlawful activities. The preservation order also sends a strong message that the SIU is committed to holding individuals and organizations accountable for their actions and ensuring that those involved in corruption are brought to justice.
The SIU’s Mission and Next Steps
The Special Investigating Unit’s primary mission is to recover proceeds from beneficiaries of NLC grant funding who are involved in unlawful activities, thereby restoring the State’s financial losses. According to Kganyago, the SIU is committed to combating corruption and ensuring accountability, particularly in cases involving the misuse of public funds. Any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during investigations will be forwarded to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further legal action. This approach ensures that those involved in corruption are held accountable and that the State recovers the losses incurred due to their unlawful activities. The SIU’s efforts in this case demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability, and its determination to root out corruption in all its forms.
Conclusion and Future Developments
In conclusion, the SIU’s obtaining of a preservation order to freeze the Pretoria property linked to Presley Chweneyagae is a significant development in the NLC corruption case. The case highlights the importance of accountability and transparency in the use of public funds and the need for effective measures to prevent corruption. As the SIU continues its investigation and civil proceedings, it is likely that more details will emerge about the extent of the corruption and the individuals involved. The outcome of this case will be closely watched, as it has implications for the broader fight against corruption in South Africa and the recovery of State funds lost to unlawful activities. Ultimately, the SIU’s efforts in this case demonstrate its commitment to holding individuals and organizations accountable for their actions and ensuring that those involved in corruption are brought to justice.