Minnie Dlamini Breaks Silence on NLC Funding Controversy: “I Am No Thief”
South African media icon Minnie Dlamini has issued a scathing response to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), following reports linking her to the ongoing National Lotteries Commission (NLC) corruption probe.
The controversy centers on a R50,000 professional appearance fee paid to Dlamini in 2016 for an event that was ultimately cancelled. While the SIU flagged the payment as part of misused public funds, Dlamini maintains she was a victim of circumstance, not a participant in fraud.
The “Pragmatic” Decision to Repay
Despite maintaining her innocence, Dlamini confirmed she has repaid the R50,000. She described the move as a strategic business decision rather than an admission of guilt.
- The Context: In the entertainment industry, non-refundable appearance fees are standard practice when a client cancels an event.
- The Challenge: Due to the 9-year gap, Dlamini noted the difficulty in retrieving specific documentation from 2016.
- The Resolution: “I made the pragmatic decision to repay… not because I did anything wrong, but because R50,000 is not worth the reputational harm,” she stated.
“Reputational Sabotage”
Dlamini did not hold back in her criticism of the SIU, accusing the unit of “intentionally and unfairly” damaging her brand. She argued that as a service provider, she had no way of knowing—or legal obligation to investigate—the source of a client’s booking funds.
“I did not steal any money. I was a service provider booked for a job.” — Minnie Dlamini
Industry Support: “The Sacrificial Lamb”
High-profile peers have rallied behind Dlamini, suggesting she is being used as a high-profile distraction from larger-scale corruption.
- Somizi Mhlongo questioned why a R50,000 payment was being sensationalized while millions remain unaccounted for, calling her the “sacrificial lamb.”
- Amanda du Pont highlighted the impossibility of performers conducting deep-dive financial audits on every booking client, calling the narrative “sensationalist junk.”
