Lotto Scam Probe: SIU Denies It Cleared Suspended Sunday Times Editor 

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Johannesburg – The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has refuted suggestions that it has cleared suspended Editor-in-Chief of the Sunday Times, Makhudu Sefara, of wrongdoing regarding possible abuse of funds sourced from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).

Sefara has denied any wrongdoing and has stated previously that the money was used for the intended purpose his company, Unscripted Communication, was contracted for by Todi Media: to organise the event at Birchwood Hotel.

RELATED: Sunday Times Suspends Editor Makhudu Sefara Over Alleged Lotto Funds Scam – The Bulrushes

On Thursday, 2 July 2026, the South African Editors’ Forum (SANEF) announced that is had concluded its probe into accusations levelled at Sefara, its former chairman.

Sefara has denied any wrongdoing and has stated previously that the money was used for the intended purpose: to organise an event at Birchwood Hotel.  

“After considering all available evidence – including direct communication from the SIU to Sefara’s lawyers – the investigation found that Sefara has not breached SANEF’s current constitution and code of conduct,” the editors’ forum said.

“This was after the acting head of the SIU, Leonard Lekgetho, also confirmed to Sefara’s lawyers in a letter dated 21 May 2026 that neither Sefara nor Unscripted Communication were ever the subject of the SIU investigation and no findings were made against either.”

However, today, Friday 3 July 2026, the SIU refuted SANEF’s stance, saying the editor’s forum had ”misled the public and undermined the integrity” of the investigating unit’s work.

In a post on X, the Special SIU stated that it has “noted a misrepresentation of facts” by SANEF about its former chairperson, Sefara, to whom the investigating unit traced the NLC funds to his business, Unscripted Communications, and to his personal bank accounts.

“Without providing the public with context or the full picture of the contents of a letter sent by Sefara’s legal representative, SANEF’s media statement gives the impression that the SIU has exonerated Sefara as a beneficiary of NLC funds,” the SIU stated.

“This is not a reflection of the letter sent to his lawyers.”

The SIU said Daniel Makwela, director of Todi Media, which contracted Sefara’s Uncsripted Communications firm, failed to provide evidence of how the R1.5 million NLC grant was used.

Instead, he offered to repay R1.1 million.

The SIU rejected the offer and demanded a full account of the funds in a sworn affidavit, along with supporting documents, before considering any settlement.

The SIU findings showed payments of R900 000 to Black Dungaree and R550 000 to Unscripted Communication.

The SIU confirmed it had no claim against Unscripted Communication and that liability rested solely with Todi Media, which refunded the entire grant.

However, the SIU did not say that Sefara did not benefit from the funds, as Todi Media or Makwela could not provide any evidence.

The SIU emphasised that the onus was on Todi Media to demonstrate how the funds were utilised. Instead, Todi Media opted for repayment in full and final settlement.

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