TSOTSI STAR LINKED TO LOTTO FRAUD

Actress Terry Pheto denies allegations

ACCLAIMED actress Terry Pheto, stands to lose prime property after she was implicated in a multimillion-rand National Lotteries Commission fraud scheme being investigated by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Pheto says she was “shocked” when the SIU recently obtained a high court order to freeze nine luxury properties, cars and two restaurants valued at about R25 million.

The assets belong to various people, including the actress.

“Her name is attached to this because we were tracing the money that was supposed to have gone to an NPO (non-profit organisation), to other people, and ended up being used to buy the property that she owns,” SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says.

Pheto (41) has denied any wrongdoing. “I hold the law in high regard and will cooperate fully with this investigation,” she says.

Under section 48 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, the SIU has 90 days to approach the court for a forfeiture application.

Pheto rose to fame after Tsotsi, a gritty movie about the life of a Joburg gang leader, won an Academy Award in 2006 for Best Foreign Language Film.

It’s alleged that property owned by the actress was bought with lotto charity money.