TRENDING | SA reacts to Terry Pheto denying fraud allegations

05 November 2022 - 18:07
By Joy Mphande
Actress Terry Pheto denies allegations of fraud.
Image: Thapelo Morebudi Actress Terry Pheto denies allegations of fraud.

Mzansi has reacted to Terry Pheto denying allegations linking her to fraud involving the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). 

Terry took to her timeline to defend herself after City Press reported the actress, two lawyers, an accountant, a former CEO  of a hotel group and commissioner of the NLC are being investigated by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in a multimillion-rand fraud scheme. 

“This fraud scheme allegedly saw them obtaining properties through money fraudulently acquired from the NLC,” read the report.

In a statement refuting the claims, Terry said she was willing to abide by the law and co-operate and thanked her fans and friends for their unwavering support amid the allegations.

Read the full statement below:

I am dismayed to discover I am the subject of a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into allegations of fraud relating to funding by the National Lotteries Commission.

I deny any involvement in the alleged scheme that has been reported on. I also had not prior knowledge of an application to obtain preservation order against me and have had no sight of this order. 

I hold the law high in regard and will co-operate fully with this investigation in an open and transparent time for me.

I would like to thank everyone for their unwavering messages of support.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said in a statement the matter would be brought to court within 90 days.

“The luxury properties constitute proceeds of unlawful activities, hence the application for a preservation order pending the final determination of the application for final forfeiture ...

“The preservation order will remain in force until an application for forfeiture is finalised, which will be brought before the high court under section 48 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act within 90 days.”

Reacting to her statement, some tweeps said the star should have kept quiet while others rallied behind her.

“Terry Pheto should have stayed quiet. There was no need for that public statement,” one person tweeted.

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