Author: Raymond Joseph
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) wants to investigate potentially massive fraud, corruption and circumvention of “procurement processes” under the previous National Lotteries Commission leadership. But the narrow terms of the original proclamation authorising it to investigate the dodgy procurement has hamstrung the SIU, despite it having applied for an amendment to its terms 15 months ago. An Institute for Security Studies report has found the Presidential Proclamation process is mired in red tape and these delays have frustrated the recovery of funds. The SIU is owed R1-billion by state entities. Almost 15 months after the Special Investigating Unit applied for…
In 2018, R3-million was paid to Athletics South Africa (ASA) by Make Me Movement (MMM), an organisation that worked with victims of GBV, but was hijacked by lottery looters. MMM had received R18-million from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) for a bogus rural cycling project. Cycling SA, the national body which oversees the sport in South Africa, says “cycling development falls outside of ASA’s area of responsibility and expertise”. Millions of rands from a lottery grant intended for a rural cycling project were paid to Athletics South Africa (ASA) in 2018. The R3-million payment came from a non-profit working with…
An organisation helping victims of abuse was hijacked in 2018 to apply for an R18-million grant from the National Lotteries Commission. The looters used a fraudulent bank account and transferred the funds, meant to go towards a rural cycling project in Limpopo, to their own companies. A property bought with the stolen funds has now been frozen by a preservation order obtained by the Special Investigating Unit. For years, Yolisa Yako dreamed of buying a piece of land for her non-profit organisation, the Make Me Movement (MMM), to use as a retreat and safe space for abuse victims. But her…
The committee that evaluated bids for South Africa’s multi-billion rand lottery licence consisted of people with gaming and casino experience but no lottery expertise, critics say. Major auditing firms refused to participate in the evaluation process due to “reputational risk” after the corruption that plagued the National Lotteries Commission under its previous leadership. Minister Parks Tau promised to investigate conflict of interest allegations after AmaBhungane revealed Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s sister-in-law co-owns a company in the winning consortium. The committee that evaluated the eight bids for South Africa’s recently-awarded multibillion-rand lottery licence consisted of people with experience in gaming, horse racing, gambling…
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) presented findings on corruption at the National Lotteries Commission to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts on Tuesday. While the SIU has taken measures to recover stolen Lottery money that was meant for good causes, it does not have prosecutorial powers. The SIU has referred 19 separate matters to the National Prosecuting Authority, but only one of these has made it to court. Out of 19 separate matters involving Lottery corruption that have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), only one is currently before a court, with no progress in getting the rest before the…
Minister of Trade Parks Tau says he will announce the winner of the eight-year lottery licence “on or before 28 May”. With Ithuba’s licence expiring on 31 May, lottery ticket sales will likely be suspended. Licence bidder Wina Njalo is proceeding with court action, accusing Tau of “frustrating” the licence process to favor Ithuba. Just weeks after issuing a temporary lottery operator licence tender, the minister responsible for the lottery has backtracked and now says he will announce who will run South Africa’s lottery and sports pools for the next eight years “on or before Wednesday, 28 May 2025.” Minister of Trade,…
After receiving R10-million from government in 2018 and a further R15-million from the Lottery in 2021, the National Academy of Africa’s Performing Arts in Soweto remains unfinished. The former arts minister said that the academy – headed by South African music icons Caiphius Semenya and his wife, Letta Mbula – would train future Grammy winners. The academy now wants another R28-million to complete the project. Meanwhile, the Special Investigating Unit has launched an investigation into the funds the National Lottery Commission (NLC) awarded the academy. The NLC has no documentation on the project except a letter acknowledging its funding application,…
Sanele Dlamini, former acting chief operating officer, and Sibonelo Vilakazi, a Durban-based client liaison officer, have had their appeals against summary dismissal from the Lottery rejected. Dlamini was found guilty on four charges related to approving questionable payments, providing dishonest recommendations, and dereliction of duty. Both officials have now filed complaints with the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration. Two senior National Lotteries Commission (NLC) staff members have been dismissed after their appeals against their summary dismissals last year were unsuccessful. Sanele Dlamini, former acting chief operating officer, and Sibonelo Vilakazi, a Durban-based client liaison officer, appealed their dismissal findings last year,…
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has issued a closed request for proposals (RFP) for a temporary licence to run the national lottery for a year when the current licence expires in May. Concerns have been raised that only the present operator, Ithuba, has the infrastructure to meet the deadline and have the lottery up and running. The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) Board chairperson and the department have denied the RFP has been issued, saying the minister has not yet decided what to do. Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau has issued a closed request for proposals (RFP)…
National Lotteries Commission company secretary Nompumelelo Nene, who was facing 145 serious disciplinary charges, has resigned. Suspended on full pay over two years ago and facing serious allegations she had covered up corruption in the lottery, she earned nearly R6-million during her suspension. She resigned after defeats in court ended her Stalingrad legal strategy to stop her disciplinary hearing. Nene argued her suspension constituted unfair, constructive dismissal and was a fundamental breach of her employment contract. The Lottery says her resignation was an attempt to avoid a possible guilty finding. Suspended National Lotteries Commission (NLC) company secretary Nompumelelo Nene, who…