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So far, 13 individuals are implicated in the alleged looting of funding worth R1,4 billion at the National Lotteries Commission (NLC).
This was revealed by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) during a presentation to the Portfolio on Trade, Industry and Competition.
The R1,4 billion funding was allegedly looted by former NLC board members and senior officials.
The SIU also indicated that it has referred evidence implicating 13 individuals to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for possible prosecution.
According to the SIU, the investigation comprises of three phases with the first phase having already been completed. The total value of the investigations per phase is:
Phase 1: R279 710 409
Phase 2: R246 659 310
Phase 3: R905 901 910
This was the reaction of MP Mat Cuthbert, DA shadow deputy minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, on the looting of NLC funds.
In a media statement on Tuesday, Cuthbert calls on the NPA to ensure that they process this evidence speedily and begin the process to prosecute these individuals.
“The SIU has done an outstanding job in uncovering the industrial-scale looting at the NLC, but it would be a travesty of justice if the NPA doesn’t pursue criminal prosecution,” he says.
In another media statement of Tuesday, the NLC reiterated its commitment to transparency and cooperation with the SIU investigation, “following several years where the NLC has been the subject of negative media reports.”
The establishment of an anti-fraud coordinating team is part of an immediate intervention, as well as the re-establishment of an anti-fraud hotline. Furthermore, lifestyle audits will be conducted across all levels of staff to root out corruption at the NLC.
On 2 September, the NLC stated in a press release that the suspension of funding applications has been extended until the end of November.
