Late actor Presley Chweneyagae
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) secured a judicial order to preserve a property in Pretoria associated with the late actor Presley Chweneyagae as part of a current investigation into suspected corruption involving the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).
This preservation order was issued on December 18 by Judge M Victor, impacting a property linked to Chweneyagae’s estate, his wife Charlaine Christinah Chweneyagae, and several others named in the case.
The order also implicates Alfred Muzwakhe Sigudla, the Southern African Youth Movement NPO, and Domestic Baboon (Pty) Ltd.
This court order prohibits the sale, transfer, lease, or any disposal of the property while the SIU completes its civil case.
The investigative unit has a period of 60 court days to initiate formal civil action.
Investigators allege that the residence was purchased with nearly R889,000 misappropriated from a R15 million NLC grant.
This funding was initially meant to assist in youth arts development initiatives.
According to the SIU, the grant intended for the Southern African Youth Movement went through Domestic Baboon, a business owned by Chweneyagae, and was redirected for the acquisition of a private home rather than fulfilling its intended use.
The SIU noted that if evidence of criminal activity is uncovered during the inquiry, the case may be forwarded to the National Prosecuting Authority for potential legal action.
This investigation is part of a wider examination into purported corruption within the National Lotteries Commission.
Authorized by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation R32 of 2020, the SIU is tasked with investigating mismanagement and recovering public funds lost through unlawful actions associated with the NLC.
