Arena Holdings places Makhudu Sefara on special leave following SIU probe

Arena Holdings has moved to place its Sunday Times editor, Makhudu Sefara, on special leave following a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report implicating him in alleged wrongdoing related to the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).

Sefara worked with Todi Media, which unduly benefited from R1.5 million in 2018. He is accused of pocketing half a million from that.

The company was awarded a media project meant to fund journalists' accommodation, car hire and marketing, instead the SIU said the funds were diverted for personal gains.

In their latest investigation, the SIU implicates a second company, Zibsiflo NPC, which received R1.71 million for a women's soccer clinic but was also found to have misappropriated funds.

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In total, the SIU has recovered R3.2 million from the two companies.

In response, Arena Holdings said it will be conducting an internal investigation into the allegations.

In a written response, Sefera denies any wrongdoing, saying that in 2018 he did indeed host a media workshop and used the funds accordingly.

He adds that there is evidence that he did not misuse any funds and accuses the SIU of not checking their facts before implicating him.

Sefara said using his name is a poor strategy by the SIU to generate undue publicity.