The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has revealed that R20.56m in grant funding for a circumcision project from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) was instead siphoned off to characters and shady companies who had no intention of using it for its intended purposes, reports IOL.
Among those receiving the diverted funds were leading local actress Moitheri “Terry” Pheto as well as ex-NLC chairperson Professor Alfred Nevhutanda.
The SIU’s senior manager responsible for the probe into the NLC, Mashudu Netshikweta, told the National Assembly’s Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry & Competition on Tuesday that a company called Zibsimode received R20.56m for the circumcision project, but that the money went to Pheto, who was the lead actress in Tsotsi, Nevhutanda, businessman Malwandla Siweya, and former NLC chief operations officer Phillemon Letwaba.
The SIU has previously said that Zibsimode received more than R20m from the NLC for the rollout of a public campaign and culturally sensitive medical intervention projects aimed at achieving traditional circumcision practice.
Another company, Zibsibix, received R5m, which benefitted Nevhutanda through Pheto, according to Netshikweta.
The current SIU and National Prosecuting Authority investigation into corruption and maladministration allegations at the NLC includes matters valued at almost R906m.
In addition, the SIU is quantifying the value of 690 matters, which it plans to finalise by the end of March next year.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
SIU: Corruption is ‘part of health sector’s DNA’
Doctor in dodgy payments probe fails to get interdict against SIU
Treasury defends tender for allegedly “untested” circumcision device