Announcement of latest lottery licence operator postponed - yet again

Parks Tau, the trade and sector minister, has postponed naming a profitable bidder to run South Africa’s lottery once the tenure of current operator, Ithuba, finishes in May next yr.

Ithuba’s licence was thanks to get expired in Could 2023 but was extended for 2 a long time by Tau’s predecessor Ebrahim Patel after a request because of the then freshly-appointed board of your National Lotteries Fee (NLC).

The Board, which was working with the corruption that experienced confused the NLC, also suggested Patel of representations by Ithuba that it were severely impacted via the Covid pandemic. This incorporated a ban around the sale of lottery tickets at the peak on the pandemic.

When it comes to the extension, Ithuba experienced to create contributions to the NLC for distribution to excellent causes at a better amount than furnished for in their initial licence.

New licence operators are provided 6 months to arrange infrastructure, which includes ticket devices countrywide, to take more than through the past operator ahead of the incumbent’s licence finishes. This most current postponement signifies that there will not be adequate time for any smooth changeover and It is not likely that Tau will increase Ithuba’s licence yet again.

The process of appointing a fresh licence operator has also been stricken by allegations of conflict of desire and other difficulties.

GroundUp has realized that the NLC has contingency strategies set up to carry on funding great will cause for around a calendar year When the lottery and the sale of lottery tickets are suspended.

The contingency also covers funding from the party of litigation by losing bidders each time a new operator is finally announced, which could also derail the smooth running in the lottery.

In the event ticket income are stopped, the NLC will use its reserves of R3.nine-billion to continue funding qualifying organisations, a source with understanding of the contingency program advised GroundUp.

In his weekend statement announcing the postponement, Tau said: “Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to create a final choice at this time. Any these kinds of choice presently would in all excellent conscience necessarily mean that I have not utilized my mind with because of thing to consider of each of the applicable elements.”

“I have identified matters that have to have even further analysis. It will be inappropriate to disclose these concerns now and their disclosure could really properly prejudice the right adjudication in the awarding from the licence.”

Tau said he was awaiting advice on The ultimate way to make sure the continuation from the lottery within the interim and the “improvement of a programme to finalise this method”.

This, he stated, must be completed after consultation Along with the Countrywide Treasury.”

Tau also hinted at the political makeup from the consortiums bidding for your licence as Yet another achievable basis for the postponement.

He explained: “I have to also be sure that the homeowners and managers of the thriving applicants are, as the Act states, ‘in good shape and right individuals’. In addition, I have to make sure that no political party or political Office environment-bearer has any immediate fiscal desire inside the applicant or maybe a shareholder from the applicant.”

Organization Day described Beforehand that the majority of the companies shortlisted for your tender are politically exposed.

The Gold Hurry consortium is led by significant-profile businessperson Sandile Zungu, who challenged for the ANC KwaZulu-Natal chair placement in 2022 in advance of dropping out immediately after he did not garner sufficient support, the paper claimed.

A further politically linked bidder is HCI, that is majority-owned with the South African Clothing and Textile Staff’ Union, an affiliate of Cosatu, which is in alliance Together with the ANC. CEO Johnny Copelyn donated to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s CR17 marketing campaign for your ANC presidency.

One more shortlisted bidder, In keeping with Enterprise Day, is Thebe Investment Company, which was founded by ANC leaders in 1992. Thebe is half-owned by Batho Batho Have confidence in. The have confidence in has donated R60-million to your ANC considering the fact that 2021, As outlined by declarations designed on the electoral commission.

Ithuba, the holder on the licence, is additionally in the jogging, as is Umbulelo Consortium, led by Afrirent Holdings; and Giya Video games, according to Small business Day.

Vivien Natasen consulted for Giya Game titles on its bid. GroundUp claimed in 2022 that Natasen, viaผล หวย ลาว his business Neo Solutions, contributed R2-million to the posh mansion of your then-NLC chair Aflred Nevhutanda — even though his business Neo Remedies experienced a deal With all the NLC. Natasen instructed GroundUp At the moment that Neo Options was “appointed throughout the NLC’s offer chain procedures, as and when products and services are needed”.

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