Johannesburg - Renowned actress Terry Pheto has spoken out after alarming news reports broke a few days ago claiming she is involved in a multimillion-rand scheme relating to funding by the National Lotteries Commission.
It is reported that the Special Investigative Unit has swooped on multi-million-rand properties, a luxury vehicle, and two seafood restaurants owned by Terry Pheto, former lotteries boss Lesley Ramulifho, and others.
The unit’s spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, unpacked the allegations on Newzroom Afrika, pointing out they had been probing the matter since 2020.
"We have been investigating this issue since 2020. You will remember that it emanates from proclamation R-32 of 2022, and as part of our investigation, we are looking at certain NPOs that received money. And when we were tracing the money, we found that it ended up buying properties," said Kganyago.
He further revealed that the money had also bought the popular seafood restaurant Ocean Basket in Carnival City.
Kganyago said they were working on returning the money to the lotteries commission with the assistance of the NPA.
"We went to court and yesterday the order was given to us that all of these properties, the two Ocean Baskets, and the cars must be preserved, and then after 90 days we will be then able to apply for the final order. And once that is done, they can be taken back and sold so that the money can be returned to the National Lotteries Commission," he said.
Pheto has since posted a statement on various social media platforms denying having had any fraudulent involvement with the lotteries commission.
"I am dismayed to discover that I am the subject of a Special Investigation Unit probe into allegations of fraud relating to funding by the National Lotteries Commission. I deny any involvement in the alleged scheme that has been reported on. I also had no prior knowledge of an application to obtain a preservation order against me, and have no sight of this order," she said.
She further thanked people who had supported her and said she would co-operate fully, openly and transparently with the investigation.
The Star