Pretoria: The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a preservation order from the Special Tribunal to block a R500,000 pension payout to Sibonelo Vilakazi, a former National Lotteries Commission (NLC) official. Vilakazi, who served as the Client Liaison Officer at the NLC's KwaZulu-Natal branch, is at the center of a significant financial misconduct investigation.
According to South African Government News Agency, the preservation order is a result of an SIU investigation revealing that Vilakazi manipulated his official position to facilitate financial gains for his spouse, Nosipho Zanele Zuma. This involved 48 payments totaling R31.2 million from entities benefitting from NLC grants, channeled through Zuma's company, ZZET Enterprises. These funds were reportedly used to acquire luxury vehicles and properties, including two Toyota Quantum vans, a Toyota Hilux, and two real estate properties.
A report from the Financial Intelligence Centre highlights that ZZET Enterprises received numerous electronic fund transfer payments from various care centers and football clubs, amounting to approximately R32,259,707. The SIU's findings indicate that over 400 care centers and football clubs made payments to accounts associated with Vilakazi and Zuma, utilizing money received from the NLC between 2019 and 2023.
Previously, the SIU successfully obtained an order to freeze about R2.4 million across four bank accounts linked to Vilakazi and Zuma. Following the SIU's recommendation, the NLC initiated a disciplinary process, which concluded in Vilakazi's dismissal on October 4, 2024, after he was found guilty of gross misconduct and breach of fiduciary duty.
The SIU emphasized its commitment to pursuing officials who resign or are dismissed amid investigations by freezing their pension benefits and instituting civil litigation to recover financial losses incurred by State institutions. The SIU's actions are authorized under Proclamation R32 of 2020 by President Cyril Ramaphosa, empowering the unit to investigate corruption and maladministration within the NLC and recover State losses.
The Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 enables the SIU to initiate civil actions in the Special Tribunal or the High Court to rectify any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations. Additionally, the SIU is responsible for referring evidence of criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority for further legal action.