Published: 2013 May 03 10:37:02 (5240 Views)

Johannes Sebothoma (49) of Kgobokwane in Limpopo, South Africa says he wants to kill himself after he was denied his lotto win.

Johannes believes that Gidani, the Lotto operator, or an employee at Gidani has cheated him of his money.

Johannes said that after losing the ticket on 29 April 2009, his heart ached every time he read in newspapers that the jackpot still hadn't been claimed and that there was only one winning ticket.

"I found the ticket two days before the jackpot expired in the pocket of my jacket," he said.

"It was slightly crushed and discoloured but the numbers 2-30-38-41-43-45 and the barcode were still visible. I rushed to the Gidani offices in Midrand the next day, and officials confirmed that I indeed possessed the winning ticket."

But Johannes' happiness soon turned to heartache. Another Gidani official allegedly told him that his ticket was invalid. "The official wouldn't give me back my ticket. He gave me a photocopy."

For four years, Johannes has been battling with Gidani, but they keep telling him that the jackpot has already been claimed.

Now he has given the Lotto operator an ultimatum: either they pay him his winnings or he will kill himself!

"I've tried everything to get Gidani to give me my money," he said. "I wrote letters, I visited the offices. I even held a vigil outside the building."

He said he consulted a lawyer, who referred him to the National Lotteries Board. "But even they could not help me," he said.

"The only thing left for me is death!"

He said he bought the ticket with his last R10. "I was supposed to share the money with a friend who gave me the numbers. We both live in poverty . . .

"I am tired of this life."

Gidani spokeswoman Thembi Tulwana was not available for comment.

- Dailysun

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