Special Investigating Unit on National Lotteries Commission investigation
11 September 2023
The High Court of South Africa: Gauteng Division, Pretoria, has dismissed, with costs, an application brought by Dr. John Marite to compel the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to change its National Lotteries Commission (NLC) investigation team and interfere in the way the SIU conducts its investigations.
In a judgment handed down on 5 September 2023, Acting Judge Hein Snyman said that the application against the SIU by Dr. Marite "amounted to an abuse of process".
An SIU investigation in the affairs of NLC had revealed that Dr Marite’s company, Right Play Health Services, received approximately R7.2 million from Zibsimode NPC, 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 non-profit organisation contacted Dr. Marite, a medical doctor based in Pretoria, and his Right Play Health Services to perform the male circumcision service.
In addition to the R7.2 million paid to Dr. Marite’s company, Zibsimode made payment of approximately R3 million towards the construction of a house belonging to South African actress Moitheri Pheto.