Pheto’s Lotteries scandal: SIU investigates East doctor
Pretoria high court acting judge Hein Snyman dismissed the interdict on September 5 with costs after the doctor attempted to compel the SIU to change its NLC investigation team which was “harassing and intimidating” him.
A Silver Lakes circumcision doctor, implicated in alleged wrongdoing and corruption to the tune of R7.2-million, has failed in a bid to reshuffle the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) team investigating him.
Dr John Marite attempted to have the investigating team reshuffled after he was interviewed on the payment he received from a non-profit and payments made to a travel and trading agency.
He however failed to answer questions from SIU investigators, which led him to approach the high court for an order to change the investigation team and compel it not to share any information about his dealings with the non-profit and travel and trading agency.
The SIU was conducting its work when it questioned Dr. John Marite on the R7.2-million paid to him as part of a R20- million grant from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).
Marite worked for Right Play Health Services (RPHS), an educational and training, medico-legal, medical and occupational health and medicine consulting company established in 2014.
Pretoria high court acting judge Hein Snyman dismissed the interdict on September 5, with costs.
Marite had named the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Malwandla Solly Siweya and the SIU as respondents in his March 7 interdict application, alleging the parties were “harassing and intimidating” him.
The SIU is mandated to investigate serious maladministration and improper and unlawful conduct in NLC employees on the distribution of its trust funds.
The investigation was due to widely published reports on the maladministration and losses suffered by the NLC.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the investigations into NLC had revealed that the Silverwoods Country Estate-based company had received approximately R7.2-million from Zibsimode NPC, a non-profit organisation with links to former NLC board chairperson Alfred Nevhutanda.
“Zibsimode received grant funding of approximately R20.2-million from NLC for the roll-out of a public campaign and culturally sensitive medical intervention projects aimed at achieving traditional circumcision practice.
“The NPO contacted Dr Marite to perform the male circumcision service. In addition to the R7.2-million paid to Dr Marite’s company, Zibsimode made a payment of approximately R3-million towards the construction of a house belonging to South African actress Moitheri Pheto.”
[RECAP] The house of Moitheri Pheto that was built with funds linked to siphoning of the National Lottery Commission (NLC) is up for auction. SIU spokesperson Mr Kaizer Kganyago explains. pic.twitter.com/ivtL6fU4Gl
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) March 2, 2023
He said the SIU obtained information that on May 31, 2017, Dr Marite invoiced Zibsimode and made a payment of R7 292 700 into the bank account of RPHS. On June 2, 2017, RPHS deposited approximately R2 009 700 to an entity called Ironbridge Travel Agency “without a sign of any work being done”.
Also on June 2, RPHS further transferred R2 013 000 to Ndzuku Trading owned by Malwandla Solly Siweya, which also received three payments from Zibsimode totalling R4.1-million.
“The directors of Ironbridge at the time were all linked to then NLC COO Phillemon Letwaba – Karabo Sithole (cousin), Rebotile Malomane (wife), Relebogile Constance Maboa (cousin’s wife) and Thabo Letwaba (brother),” said Kganyago.
Kganyago said the SIU welcomed the high court ruling and viewed Marite’s challenge as an abuse of process.
“The ruling paves the way for the SIU to finalise its investigation and ensures the independence of the SIU is not compromised.”
High Court Dismisses Pretoria Doctor’s Attempt to Interfere with SIU’s NLC Investigation. pic.twitter.com/tt3Dwf98pv
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) September 11, 2023
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