SIU Freezes Presley Chweneyagae’s Pretoria Home In Explosive NLC Grant Scandal
South Africa may still be mourning the loss of legendary actor Presley Chweneyagae, but the drama didn’t end with the credits rolling.
In a jaw-dropping legal twist, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has now dragged his widow and estate into a National Lotteries Commission (NLC) corruption probe that’s shaking both the entertainment and public funding worlds.
Presley, forever etched in our hearts as Tsotsi and as the smooth-talking, street-smart Cobra (Cobrizi) from The River, is now at the centre of an investigation that alleges public funds meant for youth arts development were used to buy a private luxury home in Pretoria.
And the State is not playing around.
Property Frozen, Receipts Pulled
On 18 December 2025, the Special Tribunal granted a preservation order freezing a residential property in Hesteapark, Pretoria — a home allegedly bought using R889,000 siphoned from a R15 million NLC grant.
The order blocks any sale, transfer, leasing, or financial dealings involving the property until the SIU wraps up civil proceedings (which must be launched within 60 court days).
Named in the order?
• Charlaine Christinah Chweneyagae, Presley’s widow (both personally and as executrix of his estate)
• Alfred Muzwakhe Sigudla
• Southern African Youth Movement NPO
• Domestic Baboon (Pty) Ltd — a company 100% owned by Presley himself
According to investigators, the NPO — which was meant to uplift young creatives — allegedly funnelled grant money through Domestic Baboon before it landed in bricks and mortar meant for private living, not public benefit.
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Presley Chweneyagae NLC Corruption Case: SIU Says “Follow the Money”
The SIU says this case forms part of its nationwide cleanup mission targeting dodgy NLC grants, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation R32 of 2020.
Their goal?
- Recover stolen public funds
- Hold beneficiaries accountable
- Refer any criminal conduct to the NPA
In plain terms: If the money was dirty, it’s getting clawed back.
The SIU insists the preservation order is a major step toward transparency, especially in a sector already bruised by scandal after scandal at the NLC.
Mzansi Has Entered the Chat” — Here’s How Social Media Reacted
As soon as news of the preservation order broke, timelines lit up with anger, heartbreak, and straight-up accusations — with many feeling that Presley is being singled out while others walk free.
One user, @LawOfAt27180945, expressed deep frustration at the timing of the investigation, writing:
“Why are they doing this to Tobetsa and leaving the other people who are still alive. He is resting, and they won’t let him rest in peace, haai suka maan.”
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Another user, @masondoma, went straight for the jugular — calling out celebrity privilege and public suffering:
“So all the celebrities benefited, they received millions and chowed money. We are the mamparas who are left suffering and living in poverty.”
But not everyone was feeling sympathetic.
@Victori98500419 celebrated the news — and even named names :
“Best news ever, but I still want Minnie Dlamini to serve time behind bars for fraud and taking money that’s not hers, I want Terry Pheto behind bars too. Don’t forget that Thug Arthur Mafokate.”
Meanwhile, @ZakiMathebula raised a bigger question about celebrity foundations and government tenders, saying:
“Meaning celebrities have these tenders from government like foundations, as they all have foundations just to use it to loot the state’s money.
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