By Menzi Magubane
Arthur Mafokate wept as he denied allegations that he unlawfully benefited from the National Lottery Commission’s R56.3 million meant for community development projects.
During a media briefing on Friday, he broke down in tears while trying to explain his side of these serious allegations.
The video clip of that interview went viral and the social media tweeps were not moved by the former musician’s tears – instead they were impressed by what they saw as “acting.”
“So #ArthurMafokate organised some PR stunts called “Arthur setting the record straight” simply to pretend to cry. This guy needs to hire a lawyer and stop annoying us,” said @NalaThokozane on Twitter.
SAFTA Best Actor award goes to #ArthurMafokate pic.twitter.com/YnUJGqJDgJ
— 𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚡 ™ (@AlexSithole) January 20, 2023
SAFTA Best Actor award goes to #ArthurMafokate pic.twitter.com/YnUJGqJDgJ
— 𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚡 ™ (@AlexSithole) January 20, 2023
Some called Mofokate an actor.
“From being a musician to an actor. I think he needs more acting lessons because those movements he was making on that couch couldn’t get the tears out” said @owen_ngcobo2 on Twitter.
Others said Mofokate should not have done the interview.
“Arthur Mafokate shouldn’t have done that interview. Now we know he stole that money,” said @t_dzyl on Twitter.
Mafokate is among celebrities involved in an ongoing Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe. Mafokate, 51, said over the weekend that he is a law -abiding citizen and he will allow the SIU to do its job.
Reports last week claimed that the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit and the SIU obtained a preservation order to freeze five properties worth millions of rands.
It is understood that they found that five NPOs used funding that was meant to uplift poor communities to buy luxury properties instead in Midrand, Pretoria, Rustenburg and Cape Town.
Mafokate is allegedly a director of the South African Arts and Development Association, and one of the properties seized is Mafokate’s multi-million rand luxury property in Midrand.
