By: Poelano Malema
Gospel star Dr Tumi is celebrating after being cleared of defrauding the National Lottery of over R1.5-million.
The star took to Instagram to share a press release that details the judgement from the court.
“Morning fam. The beauty of the truth is that it can’t be changed. Today we were exonerated of any wrong doing!!” reads the caption of the post.
According to a statement shared on the social media platform, the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit dropped all charges against him and his wife, Kgaogelo Makweya.
“Renowned songwriter and gospel artist Tumisang Makweya “Dr Tumi” walked out of Palm Ridge Commercial Crime Court this morning a free man after the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit dropped all charges against him and his wife Kgaogelo Makweya. For the past months, the duo stood accused of defrauding the National Lotteries Commission of more than R1.5 million, but after representations lead by Mr O Thovhakale of Thovhakale Attorneys to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) the prosecutors decided that Dr Tumi and his wife had no case to answer to,” read the statement.
READ: Dr Tumi and wife nabbed on R1.5m fraud charges
“In their report, the NPA exonerated Dr Tumi and Kgaogelo Makweya. They indicated that after they had thoroughly considered the representaions taking into account the concents of the case docket, the prosecutor’s report in response to the representations as well as the facts and circumstances relevant to the case the conclusion is that the charges be unconditionally withdrawn against Dr Tumi and his wife.”
The ‘Wafika’ hitmaker says he is thankful for the support he received while the case was still under investigation.
“Due to the matter having been sub judice, we couldn’t comment on it. From the onset we maintained our innocence because we did nothing wrong. Handing oursevles over to the authorities was not an admission of guilt, but was out of respect for law enforcement agencies and to allow justice to take its course. This morning we are vindicted, justice has been served, we have no case to answer to. We are thankful for the support and love from our family, friends, colleagues and the public at this time,” he said.
The award-winning gospel artist said he will be resuming work now that this is all behind him.
“We are turning back to life and pursuing our passions and look forward to putting this episode behind us. God bless you all,” he said.
His wife and manager, Kgaogelo Makweya, who was also accused, took to social media to set the record straight.
“Imagine a whole “Me” accused of defrauding the national lottery … Satane wa phapha mane….but look at God,” she wrote on Facebook.
READ: Whistle-blower in Dr Tumi’s fraud case: ”I didn’t know that the musician was involved”
Read the statement below.
