SIU secures settlement with TV personality Minnie Dlamini over irregular Lottery funds

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has concluded a settlement agreement with media personality Minenhle 'Minnie' Dlamini.

Dlamini has agreed to pay back money misappropriated from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) grant funding.

She was one of the beneficiaries of funds irregularly received from the Mshandukani Foundation.

The NPO was funded through a Lottery Commission grant intended for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games roadshow.

In terms of the settlement agreement, the 35-year-old actress and TV presenter has agreed to repay the full amount of R50,000 she received in 2016.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said that the funds were not used for their intended purpose.

“The SIU investigation revealed that the Mshandukani Foundation NPO, acting as a conduit applicant through SASCOC, received approximately R24.8 million from the NLC. These funds were subsequently distributed to several beneficiaries, including Ms. Dlamini, without lawful justification or in contravention of the grant agreement.

“Ms.

Dlamini has fully cooperated withthe SIU investigation and has acknowledged that the funds were not lawfully due to her. The repayment forms part of the SIU’s broader efforts to recover misappropriated public funds and hold all recipients of irregular payments accountable, regardless of the amount involved.”

He said the corruption watchdog will continue to throw the book at those who unduly benefited from state funds.

“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.”