Imagine waking up one day to find out you’re R124 million richer—but you haven’t even checked your messages.
That’s the current reality for one incredibly lucky South African who snagged the recent PowerBall jackpot but still hasn’t come forward to claim their winnings.
Massive Jackpot Remains Unclaimed
The winning PowerBall ticket, worth a jaw-dropping R124 million, was bought using the Absa banking app.
But so far, the person who bought it hasn’t responded or come forward.
According to Ithuba, the lottery operator, the winning numbers drawn were 10, 32, 34, 40, 48, and the bonus ball was 14.
If You Get a Call from Absa—Answer It!
Michelle van Trotsenburg from Ithuba explained during an interview with the SABC that many winners simply don’t realize they’ve hit the jackpot.
“Some people don’t check their tickets,” she said.
Because this ticket was bought via Absa’s app, the bank has likely already tried to reach the winner directly.
So, if you played PowerBall on Tuesday and see a call from Absa—don’t ignore it.
That might just be the life-changing phone call telling you to claim your millions.
What You Need to Do to Claim the Prize
Winners have 365 days from the draw date to collect their prize.
And the good news? The money will be paid into your account tax-free within 72 hours of verifying everything.
If you bought the ticket through your banking app, your bank should alert you.
But if you bought a physical ticket from a store, you’ll need to go in and have it checked. For wins as large as this one, you’ll be directed straight to Ithuba’s head office.
Just be ready to show:
-
A valid ID
-
Proof of residence
-
Your banking details
Financial Guidance for Big Winners
Winning millions overnight can be overwhelming, and Ithuba knows that.
That’s why they offer support services for anyone who wins more than R50,000.
They’ll help you make sense of what this sudden wealth means, how to manage it, and how not to blow it all in the first month.
As Michelle put it, “It’s important for them to understand how they’re going to manage this kind of windfall.”
Lost or Damaged Your Ticket? Here’s What to Do
If your ticket is lost or stolen, don’t panic—but don’t delay either. You must report it to Ithuba right away.
They’ll work with the police to investigate and, if your claim checks out, still pay out your winnings.
If the ticket is damaged but still readable, it’ll go through a verification process. But if it turns out to be tampered with or fake? Sorry—it’ll be voided.
Imagine R124 Million in Your Bank Account…
We’ve all dreamed about what we’d do if we won the lottery. A new car? A dream home? Early retirement? A ticket to see the world?
Well, for one lucky South African, that dream has already come true—they just don’t know it yet.
So, did you play PowerBall recently? Maybe it’s time to double-check your bank app or that old ticket in your wallet.
Your future could be one phone call away.