You’d think that winning the lottery would solve everything, but history tells us it can be more of a curse than a blessing.

In 2004, a newly married couple won £2,3 million in the UK – they’re divorced now, and it wasn’t pretty.

For more examples of how winning the lottery tore families apart go here, here and here.

As we said, things can really go pear-shaped.

Oh, how about the guy that won $340 million in the US Powerball in 2013? A couple of years later, he was looking at roughly 40 years in prison.

The lottery curse seems to hit people in two ways – the family is torn apart, and/or someone ends up in jail.

In more recent local news, a man has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for stealing his dad’s lotto winnings.

Mkhatshane George Manganyi won around R6 million in the South African lottery in 2006, but since then things have unravelled.

Here’s The Sowetan:

A former senior police officer was this week sentenced to 15 years in prison for stealing nearly R2m from his father’s lotto winnings.

Disgraced former warrant officer Mzamani Manganyi (below) was sentenced at the Palm Ridge magistrate’s court after being convicted of fraud he committed in 2014.

…”A complainant, who is now a pensioner, once a millionaire, has been now left to beg because of his unruly son,” [Judge] Nemavhadi said softly before he could sentence the 45-year-old father of 14.

45 and a father of 14? Someone’s been busy.

According to court documents, Manganyi forged his father’s signature to access the old man’s savings, and diverted the money to his personal account.

News24 recounts an interview with his father, 85-year-old Mkhatshane George Manganyi (below), about what happened.

“No one wants to see their own flesh and blood in jail. He will probably still be behind bars one day when I die,” he said.

“I hope to live long enough to see him come out and just apologise for his wrongs,” Manganyi said.

“The court proved that I was not crazy”.

While Manganyi was pleased that the law had taken its course and justice was served, he said he hoped that his son would forgive himself.

“He stole the money. I am left without a cent. I just hope he forgives himself and asks God for forgiveness.”

Sadly for Mkhatshane, one of his other sons was murdered, and he says that winning the lottery had destroyed his family.

Not sure if this puts you off winning for good, but there are some massive draws happening in the next few days.

[sources:sowetan&news24]