Two South African lottery players claim more than R24.8 million in previously unclaimed prizes
Two players have claimed more than R24.8 million in previously unclaimed South African National Lottery prizes, according to Sizekhaya Holdings. The operator's announcement, published on 28 September 2026, covers a Lotto jackpot won in June and a Lotto 5 Max prize won in July.
The claims had already been reported by The Citizen and Daily Sun on 8 September. The September announcement and subsequent coverage concern completed claims, rather than new winning draws.
Two prizes from separate draws
The larger award was R23,555,348.50, won in Lotto draw 2654 on 13 June 2026. The ticket was purchased through the Absa banking platform.
Sizekhaya described it as the first Lotto jackpot won after it began operating the National Lottery on 1 June. The second player claimed R1,332,944.90 from division 2 of Lotto 5 Max draw 2667, held on 29 July 2026.
Together, the two awards total R24,888,293.40. Both players came forward within the permitted claim period.
Bank notifications can go unnoticed
The claims follow an earlier appeal about missed communications. Speaking to Radio 702 on 27 August, Sizekhaya chief operating officer Fundi Sithebe said some players might mistake bank calls and alerts about winnings for spam.
EWN's coverage of the interview specifically identified the June Lotto jackpot purchased through Absa as still awaiting a claimant at that time. The September reports therefore mark a change in that prize's status.
Sithebe also distinguished smaller prizes paid automatically through banking channels from larger wins for which banks contact customers directly.
The Soweto PowerBall prize was also claimed
A separate R93,523,480 PowerBall jackpot, won on 21 August 2026 and reported as unclaimed in late August, has also been collected.
The South African reported on 2 September that the winner had come forward to collect it. The ticket was bought at Pronto Fruit and Vegetables in Molapo, Soweto. This award is separate from the two prizes making up the R24.8 million total.
The claim clock starts on the draw date
Players have 365 days from the winning draw to claim a prize. Sithebe said money left unclaimed after that period goes to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund for good causes.
Sizekhaya says winners are offered free, confidential professional counselling and financial guidance to help them manage the money and plan for the future.