As it seems, it looks like the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) is corruptly giving money to the lead actors of the popular film Tsotsi. First it was Terry Pheto, now Presley Chweneyagae who has also been implicated. In the ongoing (NLC) fraud case being investigated by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
Tweeps are even convinced that not only are the two actors thieves in the film. But they mig depict their real lives.
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According to 702, GroundUp investigative journalist Raymond Joseph disclosed on Tuesday, December 13 that over R67.5 million was received for projects. Including a musical event called Taking Back the Future by the Southern African Youth Movement (SAYM). Which the actor had reportedly been an ambassador of.
The news come a month after Chweneyagae’s co-star, Terry Pheto. Had been embroiled in the same scandal which involves the misappropriation of funds meant for the less privileged.
Raymond says that he started his investigation in 2018 and according to his findings, the SAYM show was billed to take place in three provinces in 2017. Which the actor had also been listed as the co-writer and co-director.
However, there is no evidence of any of the events except for pictures of the opening night.
“The only evidence I got was pictures from the opening night of the musical in Mahikeng,” Joseph said.
Additionally, his organisation called the Presley Chwenengayae Foundationhad been included in all branding on all content related to the project and show including a vehicle funded by the NLC.
As they say, where there’s smoke there’s fire…and here, there’s definitely a smoke.
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According to News24, the musical is one of three projects. The other two are a drug rehabilitation centre in Nelspruit, Mpumalang, as well as an old age home in Botshabelo in the Free State.
While Taking Back The Future received R15 million, the NLC annual reports reveal that SAYM received funding of over R67.5-million from the Lottery in total.
Joseph told 702 that Chweneyagae allegedly has a close relationship with some of the officials from the NLC.
“He turned up regularly at their events. He knew them and was a part of the circle where he would even MC their events,” he said.
The actor reportedly also works closely with SAYM executive director Alfred Sigudhla. Who took on the director role at Chwenegayae’s foundation in January 2012.
The actor has not yet responded to the allegations. However, SAYM board chairperson Dr Lekgotla Mafisa denied that the Chweneyagae Foundation is associated with the project.
“The board of SAYM took note of the risk of association [and] at its own discretion advised the NLC that Chweneyagae Foundation would not participate as an interested party in the project.
“We hope that you are not going to use Mr Chweneyagae maliciously to sensationalise his participation in the project, of which he is not a beneficiary. The SAYM is a beneficiary and not the Chweneyagae Foundation. Mr Presley Chweneyagae was not paid in his personal capacity,” Mafisa told Joseph.
In response to the little evidence, that is on the internet or media. Mafisa said that the documents had been destroyed as the event was over fives years old.
“Many organisations shred documents every five years as per sound document management standards, which we are sure you are familiar with,” he said.