Neo Solutions, a contractor of the South African National Lottery Commission, has allegedly contributed R2-million (£98,300) towards the luxury mansion of the NLC’s ex-board Chair.
South African news outlet GroundUp has reported that former NLC Chair Alfred Nevahutanda was the beneficiary of a cash injection from Neo Solutions before a Special Tribunal preservation order froze his mansion last month.
NLC commissioner Thabang Mampane had previously told parliament that her organisation has paid over R-26 million (£1.28m), bringing into picture a potential conflict of interest.
Also included in last month’s order were five non-profit entities and two private companies, as well as 20 people involved with them.
Between them, the non-profits received around R100-million (£4.91m) in lottery grants, and they, in turn, contributed millions of rands to help pay for Nevhutanda’s home, according to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
However, GroundUp has claimed that Zibsimanzi, a non-profit organisation linked to the wife of NLC chief operating officer Phillemon Letwaba – who was arrested earlier this month on his third charge of corruption – and several other private companies that also contributed towards the house, were not included in the Special Tribunal order.
Reportedly, this is because the SIU only became aware of Zibsimanzi’s involvement after the order was granted, and the SIU would have to apply for Zibsimanzi and others to be added to the existing tribunal order.
NLC spokesperson Ndivhuho Mafela commented: “The transactions cited in your [GroundUp’s] enquiry are at the heart of the SIU investigation which is ongoing…the NLC will only make a determination after engaging with the final report of the SIU investigation.”
