Renowned actress Moitheri “Terry” Pheto, celebrated for her role in the iconic film [Tsotsi], along with her sister Dimakatso and fashion designer friend Thula Sindi, find themselves embroiled in a controversy surrounding the alleged mismanagement of a R5 million grant designated for a poultry farm from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).
An investigative report released by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has implicated the trio in what appears to be a misallocation of funds intended for developmental projects.
The report, presented to Parliament’s trade and industry portfolio committee, reveals that a substantial sum of R5 million was allocated to a company named Zibsibix by the NLC in December 2018. However, the funds were dispersed into various accounts, raising questions about their ultimate usage, Timeslive reported.
According to the findings, Thula Sindi’s company, Black Planet Trading, received R140,000, while Moitheri Pheto’s enterprises, including Tsoseletso and Sunguti Projects, amassed a staggering R3.2 million. Additionally, Dimakatso Pheto was noted to have received R124,000 and R315,000 through different channels.
The investigative trail uncovers a series of transactions, including the purchase of a farm in the Vaal area, purportedly for Dimakatso Pheto’s benefit, amounting to R850,000. Further expenditures, totaling R209,000, were allocated for farm supplies and the acquisition of a vehicle.
The severity of the situation is underscored by the SIU’s decision to refer the case to the civil litigation unit for fund recovery, with criminal referrals being prepared for the National Prosecuting Authority.
The breakdown of payments implicates multiple entities, including Black Planet Trading, Tsoseletso, Pheto Safe and Cleaning, among others.
In a related development, Moitheri Pheto’s residential property, a lavish three-storey house located in Bryanston, has been auctioned off.
Allegations suggest that a significant portion of the R20.2 million earmarked for a safe circumcision campaign was diverted to construct the Bryanston property, valued at R3 million.
The unfolding scandal has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s entertainment and business circles, prompting calls for accountability and transparency in the allocation of public funds.
As investigations continue and legal proceedings loom, the saga serves as a stark reminder of the imperative to uphold integrity and ethical standards in all spheres of society.