SIU Warns Payment by Former Athletics Boss Doesn’t Shield Him From Criminal Prosecution

• Former Athletics South Africa (ASA) acting CEO Terrence Magogodela has repaid R388,733.05 after misappropriating National Lotteries Commission funds for sports development
• The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) found that he signed a funding application to construct athletics tracks in the Northern Cape but used the money to buy property
• The SIU has warned that the payment does not shield the former athletics boss from criminal prosecution

Trisha Pillay is a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg. Beginning her 13-year-long career at eNCA, she honed her reporting skills and coverage of crime and court cases, which she further developed at The Citizen newspaper, African News Network and Newzroom Afrika. Do you have a hard news story you would like to share? Email: trisha.pillay@briefly.co.za with CA in the subject line.

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The Special Investigating Unit has cautioned that paying back embezzled funds does not shield former athletics boss Terrence Magogodela from criminal prosecution.

Magogodela pays back

According to the SIU, Magogodela returned money he shouldn't have received from the National Lotteries Commission.

The former boss agreed to pay back some R388 733,05 after it was found that he signed a funding application to construct athletics tracks in the Northern Cape but used the money to buy property.

He wrote on the form that he was in charge of the Inqaba Yokulinda project, but he wasn't the project coordinator or part of the non-profit organisation Inqaba Yokulinda.

The SIU said:

“The funding application, the business and implementation plan, and an endorsement letter from ASA [Athletics South Africa]were submitted to the NLC. Magogodela channelled the NLC funds towards a property in Gauteng.”

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Magogodela delays payment

At first, there was a settlement agreement, but Magogodela didn't keep his end of the deal. This led the SIU to ask the Special Tribunal to preserve his home in Gauteng. In February 2022, the Special Tribunal agreed and issued a preservation order for Magogodela’s property.

Following Magogodela's total payment, the SIU will now approach the Special Tribunal for an application to discharge his property from the preservation order.

Mzansi not surprised

While this is a big win for South Africa, netizens are not convinced that the man who looted funds from the poor should still be walking freely.

Here are some of the reactions:

@Malomanye exclaimed:

"I so wish the other legs of the justice system could do their work. Or are we saying see you, payback, and nothing happens?"

@leovanstaden questioned:

"R338733 "settlement", but how much did he steal? Is he in jail for this theft? Where is the justice?"

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@Raski demanded:

"Nice to report and ramble on and on about the money being recovered but not a word on his arrest....only possible prosecution?!"

@Tokologo Freedom Moseamedi expressed

"Cyril Ramaphosa, it is obvious that our problems are sitting by the NPA. Delivering results, but the SIU has been de NPA can’t arrest any of the referred cases to them.

@Duncan_ shared:

"Every single person wants to chow."

@@GI_Irvin questioned:

"So this guy approved funding and channelled the funds to a property in GP. Is that his property yhoooo."

@HLABARINTO said:

"Share proof of payment."

SIU to investigate Home Affairs and Prasa

In a related story, Briefly News reported that the Special Investigating Unit is targeting the Department of Home Affairs and Prasa.

The SIU is permitted to investigate allegations of maladministration spanning almost two decades by Home Affairs.

Prasa will be investigated for fraudulently paying insurance claims and ghost employees.

Source: Briefly News