“I Did Not Steal” — Minnie Dlamini Calls Out SIU Over Public Allegations

Media personality Minnie Dlamini has strongly denied any wrongdoing, expressing deep disappointment over the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) decision to publicly link her to a matter she says she was never involved in and had no knowledge of.

Dlamini explained that in 2016, she was booked for a professional engagement and paid a standard appearance fee of R50,000, in line with industry norms. The event was later cancelled, and as is common practice in the entertainment industry, the appearance fee was non-refundable.

She emphasized that at no point did she know, nor could she reasonably have known, the source of the organisers’ funds. According to Dlamini, she was simply a service provider hired to perform a job.

Nearly ten years later, she was contacted and asked to provide documentation dating back to 2016. Due to the passage of time, some of the requested records could no longer be located. In an effort to avoid prolonged and unnecessary damage to her reputation, brand, and business, Dlamini chose to repay the amount.

She stressed that this decision was not an admission of guilt, but rather a practical step to protect her name, stating that the sum was not worth the reputational harm she was experiencing.

“I did not steal any money,” Dlamini said firmly, adding that she strongly objects to the SIU publicly singling her out and allowing insinuations of wrongdoing. She described the unit’s actions as unfair, irresponsible, and damaging, maintaining that she acted lawfully and ethically throughout.

The matter has sparked public debate around reputational harm, accountability, and the treatment of individuals named in investigations, particularly when no direct wrongdoing has been established.