By Thapelo Molefe
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has issued a scathing rebuke of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, demanding that the awarding the National Lottery operating licence to the Gold Rush Consortium be stopped.
In two strongly worded letters, the EFF has warned of legal action should the process move forward as planned.
It has written to Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau and the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition, Mzwandile Masina.
The EFF alleges serious irregularities, including conflicts of interest among National Lotteries Commission (NLC) officials and political affiliations of Gold Rush stakeholders that may breach the National Lotteries Act.
According to the party, two members of the NLC’s bid evaluation panel, Thiran Marimuthu and Anne-Marie Pooley, allegedly have undisclosed personal and financial links to the consortium, thereby compromising the integrity of the procurement process.
This has also been alleged by Build One SA.
Pooley is reportedly the sole director of a pub based in Pretoria that hosts Gold Rush gaming machines, while Marimuthu allegedly attended the consortium’s 25th anniversary event in November 2024, an act the EFF views as evidence of partiality.
Further concerns were raised regarding prominent Gold Rush affiliates Sandile Zungu and Moses Tembe. Zungu, is former ANC leadership candidate and known ally of former president Jacob Zuma, while Tembe is similarly identified as a political financier for the ANC.
The EFF believes they have political ties that could disqualify the consortium under Section 13(2)(b)(iv) of the Lotteries Act, which prohibits direct political interests in applicants.
“Proceeding with the appointment of an unprepared and politically exposed consortium threatens to disrupt funding to critical sectors,” warned EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo.
The EFF also criticised the consortium’s alleged lack of operational readiness.
Gold Rush has publicly stated intentions to expand its operations, which the EFF interprets as an admission of current inadequacy to run the National Lottery.
The party contends that this violates the legal requirement that a licence holder possess sufficient experience or access to such expertise.
In the letter to portfolio committee, the EFF says that Tau must be summoned to Parliament before 28 May, the expected announcement date of the winning bidder, to explain the basis for the department’s negotiations with Gold Rush.
The party has given the minister and chairperson 24 hours to respond, threatening to seek court interdicts should the licensing process proceed without parliamentary scrutiny.
“This is a test of your commitment to clean governance,” Thambo said. “We urge you to act in the public interest.”
The department is yet to respond publicly to the allegations. The current licence, held by Ithuba Holdings, expires at the end of May.
INSIDE POLITICS