Minnie Dlamini slams the SIU for a damaging narrative, insisting her settlement is not an admission of guilt.
Bulelwa Hoala
South African media personality Minenhle “Minnie” Dlamini has issued a statement expressing disappointment with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) over what she describes as an unfair and damaging public narrative linking her to irregular lottery funds.
According to Dlamini, the issue dates back to 2016 when she was booked for a professional engagement and paid a standard appearance fee of R50 000. The event, however, was later cancelled and never took place.
She explained that, in line with standard industry practice, appearance fees or deposits paid to talent are non-refundable when an event organiser cancels.
Dlamini added that she had no reason to question the source of the funds at the time and maintained that she does not involve herself in unlawful activities.
“Nearly a decade later, I was asked to produce supporting documentation from 2016. Despite best efforts, I was unable to locate certain records due to the passage of time.
“Given the minimal amount involved, and in order to avoid prolonged association with a matter that I was never involved in, I made the pragmatic decision to repay the amount, not because I did anything wrong, but because R50,000 is not worth the reputational harm to my name, my brand, or my business,” she said in a statement.
Dlamini also stressed that the repayment was not an admission of guilt.
“It is critical to be clear. I did not steal any money. I was a service provider booked for a job.”
Read the full statement below:
This comes after the SIU on Monday, 22 December 2025 announced that it had concluded a settlement agreement with Dlamini in which she agreed to pay back R50 000.
According to the SIU, Dlamini was one of the beneficiaries of funds irregularly received from the Mshandukani Foundation NPO.
The settlement forms part of the ongoing investigation into the misappropriation of National Lotteries Commission (NLC) grant funding intended for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Roadshow.
“The recovered funds will be returned to the National Lotteries Commission for redistribution to lawful beneficiaries in line with its mandate to support good causes,” the SIU stated.
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