JOHANNESBURG - Editor of Sunday Times, Makhudu Sefara, has denied corruption claims after the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) linked him to the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).
The SIU revealed on Tuesday that it had recovered R3.2 million related to two non-profit companies (NPC) - Todi Media Development Foundation NPC and Zibsiflo NPC, accused of benefiting improperly from lottery funds.
Both these entities are linked to Khuto Daniel Makwela, who, according to the SIU, admitted to the misuse of the funds and signed an Acknowledgement of Debt (AOD).
According to the SIU, a coordinated scheme saw funds allocated by NLC meant for the upliftment of the community allegedly being diverted into private pockets and property purchases.
Todi Media Development Foundation NPC is said to have received R1.5 million for media development, while and Zibsiflo NPC was awarded R1.71- million for a women’s clinic in the Free State.
The SIU said shortly after Todi Media received its funds in 2018, R550,000 was allegedly paid to Unscripted Communication, in which Sefara is listed as a director.
READ | Lotto Heist | SIU claws back R3.2m misappropriated funds
Sefara denied claims of misappropriation of funds, insisting that the event meant for media development, in fact, did take place as planned.
'Event did take place' - Sefara
He said in 2018 he was approached by the head of Todi NPO, Daniel Makwela and requested to put together a community media training event.
That event, he said took place on 10 December, where over 50 members of the community media sector were in attendance.
He maintains that all services were delivered and paid for and rejects claims that money was diverted for personal gain.
“To claim that some funds were “diverted” into private pockets to create an impression of impropriety on my part is not just false and therefore harmful, but a poor strategy to use my name to generate undue publicity,” Sefara.
'Grandstanding' claims
Sefara deemed the allegations as preposterous, adding that if his company is guilty, then the venue to which the event was held, the transport company and the airline are equally liable.
“I deny any impropriety on this. I think the SIU is grandstanding, using my picture without even the decency of a call or even a WhatsApp message to seek clarity. My rights remain firmly reserved,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sefara has been placed on special leave while investigations continue.