Johannesburg – TV personality Minnie Dlamini has reached a settlement agreement with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to repay R50,000, which was misappropriated from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) grant funding.
The SIU confirmed the agreement, stating that Dlamini will repay the full amount she received in 2016 from the Mshandukani Foundation NPO. This foundation was funded through an NLC grant intended for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Roadshow.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago explained, "In terms of the settlement agreement, Ms. Dlamini has agreed to repay the full amount of R50,000 she received in 2016 from the Mshandukani Foundation NPO, which was funded through an NLC grant intended for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Roadshow. The funds were not used for their intended purpose."
The SIU investigation revealed that the Mshandukani Foundation NPO, acting as a conduit applicant through SASCOC, received approximately R24.8 million from the NLC. These funds were subsequently distributed to several beneficiaries, including Ms Dlamini, without lawful justification or in contravention of the grant agreement.
Kganyago added, "The SIU investigation revealed that the Mshandukani Foundation NPO, acting as a conduit applicant through SASCOC, received approximately R24.8m from the NLC. These funds were subsequently distributed to several beneficiaries, including Ms Dlamini, without lawful justification or in contravention of the grant agreement."
According to the SIU, Dlamini fully cooperated with the investigation and has acknowledged that the funds were not lawfully due to her. Her cooperation facilitated the settlement agreement and the decision to repay the R50,000.
"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," Kganyago stated. The SIU is committed to ensuring that public funds are used for their intended purposes and that those who benefit unlawfully are held responsible.
Kganyago also emphasised that the SIU continues to pursue civil and criminal action against other individuals and entities implicated in the broader scheme. This includes former NLC officials, board members, and other recipients of irregular payments.
"The SIU continues to pursue civil and criminal action against other individuals and entities implicated in the broader scheme, including former NLC officials, board members, and other recipients of irregular payments," he said.
The settlement with Minnie Dlamini is part of a larger effort by the SIU to address corruption and misappropriation of funds within the National Lotteries Commission. The unit is actively working to recover misappropriated funds and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The investigation remains ongoing, with further actions expected against other implicated parties.
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