Hordes harass PowerBall winner

NICO FOUCHE

JOHANNESBURG - Leave the R91 million PowerBall winner and his family alone!

This is the call from the Minister for Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities, Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, as money-hungry hordes harassed Stanley Philander, a deaf mute cleaner from Wynberg in the Western Cape, and his wife Diana, who is also deaf.

Family, distant relations and even strangers reportedly crawled out of the woodwork wanting at least a portion of the winnings.

SA’s first PowerBall multi-millionaire and his family were whisked away by the lottery operator for their own protection on Sunday, fuelling fears they were, in fact, kidnapped before they could claim their winnings.

Thomas Ramalivhana, acting for Gidani, yesterday confirmed the couple were safe and had yesterday visited the Gidani offices to finalise matters and receive advice. A news conference will be held today at Gidani House to clarify matters.

Reacting to the frenzy surrounding the Philander family, Minister Mayende-Sibiya called on the community to desist from harassing the family and expressed confidence in the National Lottery’s mechanisms to assist the winners with planning their finances.

Minister Mayende-Sibiya participated as PowerBall draw guest in a previous draw (February 5) that was rolled over and led to the jackpot prize rising to more than R90 million. “It is wonderful to learn that the PowerBall jackpot has finally been won. This record prize will change the life of the winner forever. However, we need also to remind our people to play responsibly as not all of us can become millionaires,” said the minister.

She said government was pleased that more proceeds from the national lottery were being used for the alleviation of poverty and to support socio-economic development initiatives with many women’s groups, vulnerable children and persons with disabilities benefiting.

“I was impressed with the report I received from the National Lottery operator that at least R781 million has been disbursed to deserving causes in the past 10 months,” said Minister Mayende-Sibiya.