Man sentenced for defrauding National Lotteries Commission of millions
A man who has defrauded the National Lotteries Commission of millions has been sentenced.
The court heard how in 2018 Tshivule “hijacked” a non-profit organisation called The Message.
NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says the NPO operated in Bekkersdal.
“Its main focus was youth development and empowerment. The chairperson of the NPO, Billy Itumeleng Semamane, convened a board meeting and discussed the proposal to approach the NLC for funding.
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“The board supported the idea and documents such as the NPO’s constitution and certificates were handed over to Tshivule, who had misrepresented himself as knowing a manager at NLC that can help them secure the funding.”
Mjonondwane says that some time passed before the NPO realised they had been duped.
“According to the grant application form, Tshivule misrepresented himself as the chairperson of the NPO, and applied for funding in the amount of R3 million for the mobilization and organising of a Traditional Arts Festival, amongst other things. On 08 October 2018, on the strength of the NPO certificate and fraudulent grant application form, funding worth R1,575 million was granted.”
Tshivule will spend eight years behind bars.
