The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a court order to freeze a Pretoria property connected to the late actor Presley Chweneyagae, his spouse, and several co-respondents in a National Lotteries Commission (NLC) corruption case.
The preservation order, issued by Judge M Victor on 18 December, targets Ms Charlaine Christinah Chweneyagae, in her personal capacity and as executrix of her late husband’s estate, as well as Mr Alfred Muzwakhe Sigudla, the Southern African Youth Movement NPO, and Domestic Baboon (Pty) Ltd, among others.
The order prevents any sale, transfer, lease, or disposal of the property while civil proceedings are prepared by the SIU, which must be instituted within 60 court days.
Investigators allege the home was bought with about R889,000 misappropriated from a R15 million NLC grant intended for youth arts programmes.
The SIU said the grant, approved for the Southern African Youth Movement and channelled through Domestic Baboon wholly owned by Chweneyagae was used to acquire the private residence.
Any criminal evidence uncovered may be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.
The SIU, empowered by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation R32 of 2020, is tasked with investigating corruption within the NLC and recovering state funds lost to unlawful activities.