By: Natasha Archary
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has rubbished Terry Pheto’s claims that she had no prior knowledge of the probe into a multi-million fraud case which she’s implicated in.
Pheto and several others are being investigated for misappropriation of funds in relation to grant funding from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).
Last week the SIU obtained a court preservation order to freeze 9 luxury properties in Pretoria, Centurion, Hartbeespoort, and Johannesburg.
A BMW 4 series and two Ocean Basket restaurants in the East of Johannesburg was also frozen.
All assets amounted to R24 million and according to the SIU the money was supposed to have gone to an NPO but was instead traced back to Pheto and others.
Among those implicated are Terry Pheto, lawyer Lesley Ramulifho, Collin Mukondeleli Tshisimba, Fulufhelo Promise Kharivhe, AO Residence Trust represented by Mashudu Shandukani, Rasemate Family Trust represented by Rebotile Malomane, Mojakgomo Family Trust represented Thabang Charlotte Mampane (ex-lotteries boss), Unbrand properties represented by Sthembiso Jim Skosana, and Just Cuban Trust represented by Botshelo Cornelius Moloto.
The SIU says it approached Pheto two months ago to question her about where she received the money to purchase her luxury house.
In a radio interview, SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the actresses claims that she was blindsided by the probe was not true.
“Her name came into the fold when we were tracing the money and we ended up on this property that is owned by her and that is why her name is attached to this, because we were tracing the money that was supposed to have gone to an NPO, to other people, and ended up being used to buy the property that she owns.”
Now the Asset Forfeiture Unit may have all the properties auctioned off to retrieve the lotteries money. Pheto’s house was bought in Bryanston, from a R20.2-million grant given by the NLC to a dodgy non-profit organisation, Zibsimode.



