SIU granted order to freeze pension of former national lotteries executive
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been granted an order to freeze the pension benefits of former National Lotteries Commission CEO Philemon Letwaba.
Letwaba resigned from the commission just weeks before he was due to appear before a disciplinary hearing to answer charges of abusing his position to enrich himself and his family.
The SIU investigation revealed that Letwaba allegedly benefited personally from monies received by NPOs from the commission.
He allegedly used friends and family businesses and trusts to receive money from NPOs for his benefit and that of his family.
The commission’s board is yet to accept his resignation.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the order seeks to interdict the Liberty Group pension administrator from paying out benefits to the value of R2.8 million.
"In one of several NLC-funded projects investigated by the SIU, it was revealed that a Limpopo province-based NPO received approximately R25 million for the refurbishment of a torched school in Vuwani. Twelve days after the NPO received the money, it allegedly transferred approximately R4 million to Unbrand Properties without evidence of work being done and in violation of the funding agreement.
“The preservation order granted by the Special Tribunal is a continuation of the implementation of the SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover assets and financial losses suffered by State institutions and/or to prevent further losses," says Kganyago.
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