Presley Chweneyagae, a renowned South African actor best known for his role in the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi, was laid to rest on Saturday, 7 June 2025. His funeral, held at the Akasia Community Hall in Pretoria, drew close friends, family, and colleagues from the entertainment industry, including fellow actor and close friend Warren Masemola. While the event was intended to be a celebration of Chweneyagae’s life and legacy, it was marred by renewed public attention on the actor’s past involvement in a lottery corruption scandal.
Warren Masemola delivered a deeply emotional eulogy at the service, reminiscing about their friendship and their shared time on set. His heartfelt tribute quickly went viral on social media, where fans and peers alike praised his sincerity. However, amid the wave of mourning and respect, a controversial question raised by a social media user sparked a heated debate.
An X (formerly Twitter) user, @realnorma_kay, shared a clip of Masemola’s speech and questioned whether anyone at the funeral had addressed Chweneyagae’s alleged involvement in the National Lottery Commission (NLC) fraud scandal. The post, which gained over 500,000 views and 2,000 likes, reignited discussions about the late actor’s past legal controversies.
https://x.com/realnorma_kay/status/1931280314032181411?t=TBWJW4ssQ7SOI4erx2CFow&s=19
The scandal dates back to several years prior, when both Presley Chweneyagae and fellow Tsotsi co-star Terry Phetho were implicated in a corruption investigation. It was alleged that their foundations received millions in funding from the NLC under fraudulent circumstances. Chweneyagae’s foundation reportedly received R15 million, while Phetho’s luxury Bryanston property—allegedly built using NLC funds—was auctioned off by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in 2023.
Although the allegations were widely reported at the time, many social media users felt the funeral was not the appropriate venue to revisit them. The backlash against @realnorma_kay was swift. Several users accused her of being insensitive, emphasizing that funerals should be moments of remembrance, not judgment.
One user wrote, “There is a time and place for everything,” while another asked, “Was it a Zondo commission or a funeral?” Others reminded the public that discussions around accountability can happen—but out of respect for the deceased’s family, timing is crucial.
Among the most emotional scenes at the funeral was the reaction of Chweneyagae’s wife, Charlaine Kirk, who broke down as her husband’s coffin was lowered into the ground. She also paid tribute to him during the service, highlighting their life together and the legacy he leaves behind.
Despite the resurfaced scandal, many fans and colleagues chose to focus on Chweneyagae’s contribution to South African cinema. His role in Tsotsi remains iconic, and his impact on the local arts scene is undeniable. As debates continue online, the broader public is left to reconcile the complexities of mourning a public figure with a complicated legacy.