South African actress Terry Pheto unequivocally denied any involvement in the property fraud investigation led by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
Terry Pheto distances herself from SIU property fraud investigation
News of the actress’ inclusion in the high-level criminal investigation first surfaced on Friday, 4 November 2022, in a damning report published by Times Live.
According to reports, the SIU obtained a court preservation order granting it the right to freeze numerous assets belonging to Pheto and several others valued at R25 million.
The frozen assets include a BMW 420i and two Ocean Basket restaurants situated in the East Rand, Gauteng.
According to the SIU, Pheto along with Lesley Ramulifho, Collin Mukondeleli Tshisimba, Fulufhelo Promise Kharivhe, and representatives of four family trusts, as well as Unbrand Properties, allegedly colluded with the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) in siphoning grant fund monies toward the establishment of the franchises.
“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,” SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said.
Here is a full list of the persons implicated in the SIU property fraud investigation:
- Moitheri ‘Terry’ Pheto;
- Lesley Ramulifho;
- Collin Mukondeleli Tshisimba;
- Fulufhelo Promise Kharivhe;
- the AO Residence Trust, represented by Mashudu Shandukani;
- the Rasemate Family Trust, represented by Rebotile Maloman;
- the Mojakgomo Family Trust, represented Thabang Charlotte Mampane;
- Unbrand Properties, represented by Sthembiso Jim Skosana; and
- the Just Cuban Trust, represented by Botshelo Cornelius Moloto.
Amid the backlash, the How To Steal 2 Million star surfaced on social media with a statement categorically denying any and all involvement in the multi-million rand scam.
“I am dismayed to discover that I am the subject of a SIU probe into allegations relating to funding by the NLC. I deny any involvement into the alleged scheme that has been reported on. I also had no prior knowledge of an application to obtain a preservation order against me and have had no sight of this order,” she wrote.
The SIU disagrees, however. According to Kganyago, Pheto is only implicated in the investigation because the financial papertrail of the monies that were intended for a non-profit organisation led the SIU to one of the properties she owns.
“Her name come into the fold when we were tracing the money and we ended up in this property that is owned by her and that is why her name is attached to this because we were tracing the money that was supposed to have gone to an NPO, to other people, and ended up being used to buy the property that she owns,” he explained.
Pheto has vowed to cooperate with the investigation “in an open and transparent manner.”
The SIU, on the other hand, intends to pursue a final forfeiture of all assets purchased with the stolen money. Essentially, Pheto’s business could be permanently shut down within the next 90 days.
“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,” the SIU noted.