The acrimonious divorce proceedings between veteran South African actor Sello Maake kaNcube and his estranged wife, Pearl Mbewe, have taken a dramatic turn with Mbewe requesting the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe kaNcube’s financial dealings with the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). The dispute centres around substantial funds allegedly received by kaNcube from the NLC, the details of which remain unclear, but are central to the stalled divorce settlement.
A letter, seen by City Press and forming part of the legal exchanges between the couple’s lawyers, highlights three key sticking points delaying the divorce finalisation. These include Mbewe’s demand for the SIU investigation, the division of R1.5 million kaNcube received from a settlement with his former partner, Thandi Ngcobo, and the distribution of proceeds from the Sello Maake kaNcube Foundation. The R1.5 million settlement stems from a 2013 court case involving Ngcobo and kaNcube over R4 million received from the National Lottery Board Trust Fund while they were a couple.
A source close to the couple alleges that Mbewe’s SIU request stems from claims that kaNcube allegedly misappropriated R2.2 million received from the NLC in 2019. This money, intended for theatre projects under the Sello Maake kaNcube Foundation to fund community development initiatives, was allegedly used for personal expenses.
The letter to the SIU, referencing the intended purpose of the funds, states: "An amount was earmarked to be paid towards Sello’s foundation for the purpose of executing a project in line with the terms and conditions of the payment. In the meantime, Pearl directed letters to the NLC, which caused it to reconsider its decision."
The letter further notes that the NLC launched its own investigation into kaNcube’s affairs, resulting in the withholding of further payments. "Any amounts received from the Lotto had to be utilised for a specific purpose. It would not have been an amount that could have been subject to accrual or division for the divorce proceedings," the letter clarifies.
SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, confirmed receipt of Mbewe’s letter, stating: "We can confirm the receipt of Pearl Mbewe's letter. However, in line with our mandate, the SIU does not investigate individuals; we investigate procurement processes of goods and services in government institutions."
Attempts to obtain comment from both Mbewe and kaNcube proved unsuccessful. Mbewe’s phone went unanswered, and she did not respond to a text message. Similarly, kaNcube did not respond to questions sent to him.
This financial dispute adds another layer of complexity to the already strained relationship. Last month, City Press reported that kaNcube was pursuing a protection order against Mbewe, seeking her eviction from their Johannesburg home. A domestic violence hearing, attended by both parties at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court, was postponed.
kaNcube’s affidavit alleges verbal abuse by Mbewe since 2021, escalating to physical assault. He stated: “During October and November [last year], she continually insulted me [by referring to] my private parts to humiliate me, provoking me to assault her. [When] I refused [to give her] my car keys in [one] short argument, she put my hand into her mouth and bit me,” adding that he sustained bite marks on his left hand.
He further alleges a conspiracy by Mbewe and her friends to undermine him, stating: “I believe her anger stems from us being in the process of divorce. Her onslaught on my dignity and my life has intensified to the extent that she has colluded with friends to bring me down,” the affidavit concludes.
