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Ramaphosa holds firm as former Lotteries boss challenges corruption probe
President Cyril Ramaphosa is standing by his decision to authorise a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into alleged corruption at the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), despite legal efforts by former NLC chair Alfred Nevhutanda to halt the investigation.
Ramaphosa recently submitted an affidavit to the Pretoria High Court, opposing Nevhutanda’s application to overturn the 2020 proclamation that allowed the SIU to investigate alleged misconduct at the commission between January 2014 and October 2020 — a period that covers Nevhutanda’s leadership.
The former lotteries chief argues the NLC does not qualify as a state institution handling public money — a requirement under the SIU Act — and that the scope of the investigation is overly broad. He also alleges Ramaphosa failed to properly consider the decision before signing off on it.
However, Ramaphosa dismissed these claims, insisting there was no legal basis to set aside the proclamation. He said the NLC and its associated trust manage public funds and qualify as state institutions. He explained that, as is standard, the SIU’s request was reviewed by the Justice Minister and supported by evidence showing irregular grant allocations and allegations of officials’ family members benefiting improperly.
“The documents placed before me indicated that irregularities in grant allocations may be more widespread than the examples cited,” Ramaphosa said in his affidavit.
The president added that even if Nevhutanda’s arguments held weight, halting the investigation now — after more than two years of work and substantial expenditure — would not be just or equitable.
The SIU has already preserved assets worth R344 million as part of the investigation, including a R27 million Pretoria mansion allegedly purchased with misused lottery funds. It accuses Nevhutanda of attempting to derail the probe to reclaim seized assets and avoid potential criminal consequences.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) has also opposed Nevhutanda’s application. In an affidavit, Asset Forfeiture Unit head Juliana Rabaji-Rasethaba clarified that preservation orders obtained by the NDPP operate independently of the SIU investigation and would remain valid regardless of the court’s decision on Ramaphosa’s proclamation.
She noted that Nevhutanda had not challenged the NDPP’s authority or the preservation orders themselves.
The High Court is expected to set a hearing date once Nevhutanda files his final affidavit.
GroundUp previously reported that his application has delayed the final forfeiture of assets including homes, luxury cars, and two Ocean Basket franchises linked to individuals accused of looting lottery funds.
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Sourced:African Insider
