Announcement of new lottery licence operator postponed - all over again

Parks Tau, the trade and field minister, has postponed naming a successful bidder to operate South Africa’s lottery once the tenure of latest operator, Ithuba, finishes in Might following calendar year.

Ithuba’s licence was thanks to obtain expired in May 2023 but was prolonged for 2 yrs by Tau’s predecessor Ebrahim Patel after a request from the then freshly-appointed board with the Nationwide Lotteries Fee (NLC).

The Board, which was dealing with the corruption that experienced overwhelmed the NLC, also recommended Patel of representations by Ithuba that it had been seriously affected because of the Covid pandemic. This incorporated a ban on the sale of lottery tickets at the height with the pandemic.

Regarding the extension, Ithuba experienced to make contributions on the NLC for distribution to superior leads to at a better level than provided for within their Preliminary licence.

New licence operators are provided six months to create infrastructure, like ticket devices countrywide, to get above from your prior operator before the incumbent’s licence finishes. This most current postponement implies that there won't be adequate time for a clean transition and It can be unlikely that Tau will increase Ithuba’s licence once more.

The whole process of appointing a fresh licence operator has also been plagued by allegations of conflict of curiosity as well as other troubles.

GroundUp has acquired that the NLC has contingency programs in position to continue funding fantastic results in for up to a year In the event the lottery plus the sale of lottery tickets are suspended.

The contingency also addresses funding while in the function of litigation by dropping bidders whenever a new operator is lastly declared, which could also derail The sleek working of the lottery.

In the event that ticket product sales are stopped, the NLC will use its reserves of R3.nine-billion to continue funding qualifying organisations, a resource with understanding of the contingency approach advised GroundUp.

In his weekend assertion announcing the postponement, Tau explained: “Unfortunately, I am not able to help make a final determination at this time. Any such choice at the moment would in all very good conscience necessarily mean which i haven't utilized my brain with because of consideration of each of the pertinent aspects.”

“I have discovered issues that demand additional analysis. It could be inappropriate to disclose these challenges now and their disclosure could very very well prejudice the correct adjudication of your awarding on the licence.”

Tau said he was awaiting assistance on The easiest way to make sure the continuation from the lottery from the interim and also the “growth of the programme to finalise this method”.

This, he claimed, needs to be done right after consultation With all the National Treasury.”

Tau also hinted in the political make-up of your consortiums bidding with the licence as A different doable basis for the postponement.

He stated: “I need to also be sure that the homeowners and managers in the profitable applicants are, because the Act states, ‘in shape and appropriate persons’. On top of that, I have to ensure that no political occasion or political Workplace-bearer has any direct economical interest inside the applicant or simply a shareholder from the applicant.”

Organization Working day claimed previously that a lot of of the businesses shortlisted for the tender are politically uncovered.

The Gold Hurry consortium is led by significant-profile businessperson Sandile Zungu, who challenged with the ANC KwaZulu-Natal chair place in 2022 right before dropping out following he didn't garner enough aid, the paper documented.

Yet another politically connected bidder is HCI, which is majority-owned because of the South African Clothes and Textile Personnel’ Union, an affiliate of Cosatu, that's in alliance Together with the ANC. CEO Johnny Copelyn donated to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s CR17 campaign with the ANC presidency.

A further shortlisted bidder, In line with Company Day, is Thebe Expense Corporation, which was Started by ANC leaders in 1992. Thebe is 50 percent-owned by Batho Batho Believe in. The rely on has donated R60-million to the ANC because 2021, As outlined by declarations designed to your electoral commission.

Ithuba, the holder in the licence, is additionally inside the running, as is Umbulelo Consortium, led by Afrirent Holdings; and Giya Online games, In line with Company Working day.

Vivien Natasen consulted for Giya Games on its bid. GroundUp documented in 2022 that Natasen, throughตา ว จ หวย his corporation Neo Remedies, contributed R2-million towards the posh mansion of the then-NLC chair Aflred Nevhutanda — even though his business Neo Alternatives experienced a contract Along with the NLC. Natasen told GroundUp at that time that Neo Answers was “appointed from the NLC’s source chain procedures, as and when providers are expected”.

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