Minnie Dlamini to pay back R50k in Lottery funds scandal

According to the SIU, the repayment forms part of a settlement agreement concluded with Minnie, who was identified as one of the beneficiaries of funds irregularly received from the Mshandukani Foundation NPO.

The foundation was funded through an NLC grant intended for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games Roadshow, but the money was not used for its intended purpose.

In a statement, the SIU said, “The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has successfully concluded a settlement agreement with Ms. Minenhle Dlamini… In terms of the settlement agreement, Ms. Dlamini has agreed to repay the full amount of R50,000.00 she received in 2016 from the Mshandukani Foundation NPO.”

As reported by the SIU, its investigation revealed that the Mshandukani Foundation NPO, acting as a conduit applicant through the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), received approximately R24.8 million from the NLC.

These funds were then distributed to several beneficiaries, including Dlamini, “without lawful justification or in contravention of the grant agreement”.

#SIUWorkingForYou| The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has successfully concluded a settlement agreement with Ms. Minenhle Dlamini, one of the beneficiaries of funds irregularly received from the Mshandukani Foundation NPO as part of the ongoing investigation into the… pic.twitter.com/d6Xef1FozZ

— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) December 22, 2025

The SIU further stated that Dlamini cooperated with investigators and acknowledged that the funds were not lawfully due to her.

“Ms. Dlamini has fully cooperated with the SIU investigation and has acknowledged that the funds were not lawfully due to her,” the unit said, adding that the repayment forms part of its broader efforts to recover misappropriated public funds.

The settlement does not imply criminal guilt but is part of a civil recovery process aimed at ensuring that public money is returned and redirected to its intended beneficiaries.

The SIU confirmed that the recovered funds will be returned to the NLC “for redistribution to lawful beneficiaries in line with its mandate to support good causes”.

The SIU also noted that investigations into the broader scheme are continuing. “The SIU continues to pursue civil and criminal action against other individuals and entities implicated in the broader scheme, including former NLC officials, board members, and other recipients of irregular payments,” the unit said.

As stated by the SIU, it was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa through Proclamation R32 of 2020 to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration within the NLC.

The unit added that any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigations will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.