The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a preservation order from the Special Tribunal to freeze a residential property in Pretoria linked to the late actor Presley Chweneyagae and his wife, Charlaine, as part of an ongoing probe into alleged fraud involving the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).
The preservation order prohibits the sale, transfer, leasing or disposal of the property pending the outcome of civil proceedings that the SIU is expected to institute within 60 court days.
According to the SIU, the order is directed against Charlaine Chweneyagae in her personal capacity and as executor of her late husband’s estate, as well as against Alfred Muzwakhe Sigudla and two non-profit organisations.
Alleged Misuse of Lottery Funds
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyao said investigators believe the Pretoria home was purchased using close to R900,000 diverted from a R15 million NLC grant. The funds were originally intended to support youth arts development programmes.
“The SIU’s investigation found that the grant was approved for the Southern African Youth Movement NPO, represented by Sigudla,” Kganyao said. “The money was subsequently channelled through Domestic Baboon (Pty) Ltd, a company solely owned by the late Presley Chweneyagae, to acquire the private residence.”
The preservation order aims to ensure that the property remains intact while the SIU finalises its civil case to recover the allegedly misappropriated funds.
Second High-Profile Actor Implicated
Before his death earlier in 2025, Chweneyagae became the second prominent South African actor linked to the NLC funding scandal, following fellow Tsotsi star Terry Pheto. Both were implicated in investigations into the alleged misuse of public funds meant for upliftment projects in underprivileged communities.
The SIU has been probing widespread irregularities at the National Lotteries Commission, including the approval of large grants to non-profit organisations that allegedly failed to deliver on their stated objectives.
Civil Action to Follow
The SIU confirmed that it will institute civil proceedings within the timeframe set by the tribunal to recover the funds and determine liability. The unit has previously stated that preservation orders are a key tool in preventing the dissipation of assets suspected to have been acquired through unlawful means.
The case forms part of a broader crackdown on corruption and maladministration linked to lottery funding, which has already seen multiple assets frozen and legal actions initiated against individuals and entities across the country.
