Oscar-winning actor denies fraud
Actor Terry Pheto has denied any involvement in a multi-million-rand Lotteries Commission fraud scheme being investigated by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
On Friday, the SIU was granted a preservation order by the Pretoria High Court to seize nine luxury properties in Pretoria, Centurion, Hartebeespoort and Johannesburg, a BMW 420i and two Ocean Basket franchises in the East Rand worth a combined value of approximately R25 million.
Pheto was listed as one of a group of people and companies accused of being beneficiaries in the alleged property fraud.
Pheto was one of three people and two trusts against whom the SIU was granted restraining orders.
The luxury properties, therefore, constitute proceeds of unlawful activities, hence the application for a preservation order pending the final determination of the application for final forfeiture.
In a statement released on social media yesterday, the Tsotsi star said she was ‘dismayed’ that she’s the subject of the SIU investigation.
‘I deny any involvement in the alleged scheme that has been reported on. I also had no prior knowledge of an application to obtain a preservation order against me.’
She added that she will ‘cooperate fully with this investigation in an open and transparent manner’.
The internationally acclaimed star has been top of social media trends since Friday’s SIU revelations, with mixed reactions from fans and South Africans alike about her alleged involvement.
