SIU ready to recover R21m in lottery grant funding
The tribunal reviewed and set aside two NLC grant funding applications and ordered a former board member, advocate William Huma, to pay back the amount in full.
The SIU said on Monday this was the first judgment that set aside grant funding in its NLC investigation.
'The SIU has now filed 18 NLC review applications to set aside grants. The total value of the funds involved in these review and preservation applications amounts to R320m. More review applications can be expected.'
In the judgment in June, the Special Tribunal reviewed and set aside the 2019 NLC decision to award R16.5m to the Samaritan Initiative NPO, a hijacked entity allegedly controlled by Huma's relatives.
The funds were allocated for community upliftment projects, including a chicken farming initiative for the residents of Marikana, North West.
'The SIU investigation found that the funds were misappropriated by Silverlite Trading (Pty) Ltd, which Huma later took control as the sole director. The farm is now in a dilapidated state and has never benefited the community of Marikana,' the SIU said.
The tribunal also set aside a 2020 grant of R4.6m to Reagile NPC, directed by Huma's wife and nephew. The SIU said no tangible community benefits were delivered.
It said the tribunal found that Huma abused his position to funnel funds to entities linked to his family.
'His conduct was deemed 'egregious, negligent, and dishonest', causing the NLC to suffer losses of R21,158,118.'
The tribunal said Huma failed to disclose conflicts of interest, contravening the Lotteries Act and his fiduciary duties.
'To ensure there is cash available to recover the full amount lost by the NLC, the SIU, through the tribunal, preserved R10m, which are the proceeds of a sale of Huma's Waterkloof property, which amount is now executable.'
As part of the ongoing NLC investigations, the SIU preserved a number of assets belonging to Huma and linked to NLC funds.
These include a farm and a boutique hotel, both in North West. This preservation is linked to another NLC investigation.
'As part of implementing the order, the SIU will conduct auctions for the properties in question. The proceeds generated from these auctions will be directed back to the NLC to support projects aimed at uplifting communities, rather than benefiting individuals or their close associates.'
The SIU was authorised in terms of a proclamation issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020 to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of the NLC and recover any financial losses suffered by the state.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
PowerBall: Ticket Purchase and Draw Times
Tonight's PowerBall draw can create a new millionaire The National Lottery aims to create new millionaires through the PowerBall and PowerBall Plus draws. The draw plays at 9pm. PowerBall and PowerBall Plus estimated jackpots: PowerBall: R21 million PowerBall Plus: R41 million How to play PowerBall? To play Powerball, a player chooses five numbers between 1 and 50 followed by a PowerBall number between 1 and 20. The system also provides a quick pick selection method, where it randomly chooses all the numbers on your behalf. PowerBall tickets are available on selected banking apps; terms and conditions apply. Tickets are available for purchase until 8.30pm on draw days (Tuesday and Friday). Tickets can also be bought on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 11.30pm. The national lottery also gives you a chance to win money every day from the daily lotto. The draw takes place every evening just after 9.30pm. Tickets for the Daily Lotto can be bought every day until 8.30pm. How to play Daily Lotto in SA? If you are buying a ticket in-store: Pick up a bet slip in any lottery store. Choose five numbers between 1 and 36 or ask for a Quick Pick. Entries cost R3 each. You can play a max of R150, but you are allowed to play multiple boards. Select how many consecutive draws you wish to enter, up to a maximum of 10. Leave blank for a single draw. Take your bet slip to the teller to pay for your ticket. Write your details on the back of your ticket in case you need to claim a prize. If you do not sign your ticket, and you lose it, anyone can use it to claim the prize. READ MORE: Daily Lotto results: Monday, 18 August 2025 If you are playing online: Set up a lottery account here and make a deposit to pay for tickets. Choose five numbers from 1 to 36 or select 'Quick Pick' to generate a random set. Repeat this on as many boards as you want to play. Decide whether to enter a single draw or multiple draws. Confirm and pay for your entry. What happens after winning? Winners receive an SMS from their respective banks with a reference number and further instructions on the documents they should bring when visiting Ithuba. When a player wins less than R250 000, they get their money directly deposited into their bank account if they used a banking app to play. Winners who win more than R250 000 are referred to the lottery operator, Ithuba, for a payout. Free financial and trauma counselling is given to all winners who win above R50 000, tax-free. Players must be 18 years or older to participate.
Eyewitness News
14 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Former NLC board member Advocate Huma ordered to pay back R21-million received in unlawful grants
JOHANNESBURG - Former National Lotteries Commission (NLC) board member Advocate William Elias Huma has been ordered to pay back R21-million he received in unlawful grants. Between August and September 2020, the NLC awarded two grants to non-profit organisations linked to the family members of Huma. The grants were for the empowerment of women, youth and disabled people living in the villages of the Bojanala District in the northwest. In its judgment, the special tribunal, which presides over matters brought by the special investigating unit, found that the grant money was not used for its intended purposes. "The tribunal further found former NLC board member, advocate William Elias Huma, his affiliated entities, and the beneficiary organisations caused the NLC to suffer damages in the amount of R21,158,118.00, citing egregious misconduct, negligence, dishonesty, and violations of fiduciary duties," said Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago. The respondents are ordered to repay in full R 21,158.118.00. The SIU has already commenced the process to execute the order and recover the full amount from the respondents. The process is ongoing."
TimesLIVE
18 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
SIU ready to recover R21m in lottery grant funding
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says it has already started the process of executing an order of the Special Tribunal which set aside grant funding of R21m made by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). The tribunal reviewed and set aside two NLC grant funding applications and ordered a former board member, advocate William Huma, to pay back the amount in full. The SIU said on Monday this was the first judgment that set aside grant funding in its NLC investigation. 'The SIU has now filed 18 NLC review applications to set aside grants. The total value of the funds involved in these review and preservation applications amounts to R320m. More review applications can be expected.' In the judgment in June, the Special Tribunal reviewed and set aside the 2019 NLC decision to award R16.5m to the Samaritan Initiative NPO, a hijacked entity allegedly controlled by Huma's relatives. The funds were allocated for community upliftment projects, including a chicken farming initiative for the residents of Marikana, North West. 'The SIU investigation found that the funds were misappropriated by Silverlite Trading (Pty) Ltd, which Huma later took control as the sole director. The farm is now in a dilapidated state and has never benefited the community of Marikana,' the SIU said. The tribunal also set aside a 2020 grant of R4.6m to Reagile NPC, directed by Huma's wife and nephew. The SIU said no tangible community benefits were delivered. It said the tribunal found that Huma abused his position to funnel funds to entities linked to his family. 'His conduct was deemed 'egregious, negligent, and dishonest', causing the NLC to suffer losses of R21,158,118.' The tribunal said Huma failed to disclose conflicts of interest, contravening the Lotteries Act and his fiduciary duties. 'To ensure there is cash available to recover the full amount lost by the NLC, the SIU, through the tribunal, preserved R10m, which are the proceeds of a sale of Huma's Waterkloof property, which amount is now executable.' As part of the ongoing NLC investigations, the SIU preserved a number of assets belonging to Huma and linked to NLC funds. These include a farm and a boutique hotel, both in North West. This preservation is linked to another NLC investigation. 'As part of implementing the order, the SIU will conduct auctions for the properties in question. The proceeds generated from these auctions will be directed back to the NLC to support projects aimed at uplifting communities, rather than benefiting individuals or their close associates.' The SIU was authorised in terms of a proclamation issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2020 to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of the NLC and recover any financial losses suffered by the state.
