SIU freezes Pretoria home of late Tsotsi star Presley “Cobra” Chweneyagae in NLC corruption case
The Special Investigating Unit has frozen a Pretoria property linked to the late actor Presley “Cobra” Chweneyagae as part of an investigation into alleged corruption involving National Lotteries Commission grant funding.
Image: File
The Special Investigating Unit has obtained a preservation order freezing a Pretoria residential property allegedly bought with funds diverted from a National Lotteries Commission (NLC) grant and linked to the late actor Presley Chweneyagae.
Presley, popular as "Cobra" or "Cobrizi" is widely remembered for his iconic role as the cunning, charismatic character Thuso "Cobra" Mokoena in the popular telenovela The River, alongside his Oscar-winning portrayal in the film Tsotsi.
The order was granted by the Special Tribunal on 18 December 2025 and relates to a home in Hesteapark, Pretoria. It forms part of an ongoing SIU investigation into alleged corruption and maladministration at the National Lotteries Commission.
The preservation order is directed at Charlaine Christinah Chweneyagae, in her personal capacity and as executrix of her late husband’s estate, as well as Alfred Muzwakhe Sigudla, the Southern African Youth Movement NPO, Domestic Baboon (Pty) Ltd, and other respondents.
In terms of the order, the respondents are prohibited from selling, transferring, leasing, encumbering or otherwise disposing of the property pending the finalisation of civil proceedings, which the SIU must institute within 60 court days.
The SIU alleges that about R889,000 used to purchase the property was unlawfully diverted from a R15 million NLC grant intended to fund youth arts development programmes.
Presley Chweneyagae in the Oscar-winning movie "Tsotsi".
Image: Supplied.
The grant was approved for the Southern African Youth Movement NPO, represented by Sigudla, and was allegedly channelled through Domestic Baboon (Pty) Ltd — a company solely owned by Chweneyagae — before being used to acquire the private residence.
The investigation forms part of the SIU’s broader mandate to recover funds from beneficiaries of NLC grants who allegedly benefited from unlawful conduct, with the aim of restoring financial losses suffered by the State.
The probe was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation R32 of 2020, empowering the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration at the NLC.
The SIU said the preservation order obtained from the Special Tribunal marks a significant step in ensuring accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
In terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU may institute civil proceedings in the High Court or the Special Tribunal to recover losses. Any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during the investigation will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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