Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Sunday Times Editor Put on Leave as SIU Links His Company to Misused Lottery Grant

The case tests standards of media ethics under active corruption probes.

Overview

  • Arena Holdings placed Makhudu Sefara on special leave on Tuesday and named deputy editor Mike Siluma as acting editor.
  • The Special Investigating Unit says a 2018 National Lotteries Commission grant to Todi Media was diverted, with R550,000 paid to Unscripted Communication and R900,000 routed via Black Dangaree toward a property purchase.
  • The SIU reports recovering R1.5 million from Todi in late March and says it will refer Todi and Black Dangaree to the National Prosecuting Authority for alleged money laundering.
  • A second grant to Zibsiflo drew large transfers to Black Dangaree and lawyers, and the SIU says Zibsiflo has repaid the full R1.7 million.
  • Sefara denies wrongdoing, says the funds covered a December 2018 community media workshop in Boksburg, and both Arena and SANEF have commissioned independent reviews while the DA calls for full transparency and disclosure.