American R&B singer R Kelly has been formally asked to explain his involvement in an alleged investment scam, the Durban regional court heard yesterday.

American R&B singer R Kelly has been formally asked to explain his involvement in an alleged investment scam, the Durban regional court heard yesterday.

A Durban woman, Busisiwe Priscilla Zakwe, has implicated Kelly in an alleged scam that apparently swindled more than 50 people, many of them pensioners.

Zakwe, who's next court date is May 6, is accused of taking thousands of rands from local investors by promising them they would benefit from ticket sales if they brought "a Kelly tour" to South Africa in 2005.

Kelly never arrived - but Zakwe claims she deposited R10,5million into his account.

Prosecutor Blackie Swart said yesterday he had written a letter to Kelly's agent, Jason Miller, requesting the singer explain his possible link to the scam. "I sent an e-mail and also faxed a letter to Kelly's agent last week. We have not received from them any response as yet." - Sapa