Kholeka Dubula, a celebrated gospel artist, has categorically denied any ties to the alleged misappropriation of almost R25 million in funding from the National Lottery Commission (NLC), asserting that she is wrongfully accused after receiving payment for a valid performance.
Known for her popular track Ewe Siyakuvuma, Dubula has been mentioned in a report from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) that scrutinizes the suspected misdirection of R24.98 million intended for the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee’s (Sascoc) Rio 2016 Olympic initiative.
The SIU alleges that Dubula was paid R30,000 from funds that they suspect were illegally diverted. The Unit aims to reclaim the money from all identified recipients, including Dubula.
In response, Dubula has firmly rejected any implication that she benefited knowingly from fraudulent funds.
“Our names are being dragged through the mud,” she remarked.
Dubula explained that the payment she received was for a live show in Gqeberha, previously known as Port Elizabeth.
“I went there, performed, and got paid. Therefore, we should be asking event organisers where they get their funding from,” Dubula noted.
Her statements come as the SIU amplifies its efforts to recover substantial sums that were allegedly misallocated through a network of individuals and entities.
Alleged Movement of Funds
The investigation by the SIU provides a detailed account of how the funds were allegedly rerouted after being disbursed by the National Lottery Commission.
As per investigators, the NLC allocated R24.98 million to Sascoc for the Rio 2016 Olympic project, which retained R150,000 and then transferred around R24.83 million to the Mshandukani Foundation.
The SIU indicates that the foundation’s bank account initially held just R500 before it received the significant transfer.
Investigators assert that the funds were subsequently distributed to various enterprises and individuals, including:
- Ironbridge Travel Agency: R15.35 million, purportedly linked to former NLC Chief Operating Officer Philemon Letwaba.
- Mshandukani Holdings: R7.2 million, owned by Mashudu Shandukani.
- Mosokodi Business Trust: R3 million, allegedly connected to Letwaba.
- Ndzhuku Trading: R2 million, owned by Malwandla Solly Siweka.
- Tsietsi Maselwa: R600,000, former NLC legal executive.
- Philemon Letwaba: R450,000.
- Benza Consulting: R85,000, owned by Raphael Benza.
- Mbizo Events: R85,000.
- Minnie Dlamini: R50,000.
- Kholeka Dubula-Sosibo: R30,000.
Repayment from Some Beneficiaries
Among those cited in the SIU report, television host Minnie Dlamini and Mbizo Events have already returned the funds they received.
Dlamini has stated that her payment was legitimate for her hosting role at the Gqeberha event and claims she had no insight into the funds’ alleged links with illegal activities.
The SIU continues to pursue recovery of additional amounts from other beneficiaries identified in the probe.
Dubula Asserts Her Innocence
The recent controversy has negatively impacted Dubula’s music career.
The artist emphasizes that she merely fulfilled a performance agreement and received payment in the ordinary course of her work. She claims that she was not aware of the purported source of the funds and argues that inquiries should be directed at those who organized and financed the event.
As the SIU’s efforts to reclaim millions reportedly mishandled from public funding proceed, this investigation is one of South Africa’s most scrutinized corruption cases, involving several high-profile individuals facing increasing scrutiny over their purported connections to these contentious payments.
