An interview with police investigating a 10.5 million rand ($1.3 million) investment scam was a late inclusion in R. Kelly’s tour itinerary, according to South African national news agency reports.
Inspector-detective Themba Mchunu told press association SAPA that he and his colleagues scheduled a meeting with Kelly’s lawyers June 23 and expected to question the artist a few days later.
Priscilla Zakwe, a Durban businesswoman facing 67 fraud charges and one of violating the Banking Act by running a scheme without permission, will be implicating Kelly in her defense.
Zakwe allegedly swindled more than 50 people, many of them pensioners, by promising them they would benefit from ticket sales if they brought an R. Kelly tour to the country that year.
Kelly never appeared in South Africa, but Zakwe claims she deposited Rand 10.5 million into his bank account.
State prosecutor Blackie Swart reportedly wrote to Kelly’s agent, Jason Miller, earlier this year requesting the singer explain his involvement in the scam but says he got no response.
Kelly is in South Africa for shows at Sun City and Cape Town Grand Arena June 27 and 29. Mchunu says he’s happy that he finally has an opportunity to interview him.
“This will help us to get necessary information that we need for the case. This has taken far too long and people are becoming impatient,” he said.
Zakwe it out on bail and her trial was expected to start July 15.