By Nkhensani Chauke
The board of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) is coming under increased pressure to act against corruption allegations, with some members of the trade, industry and competition portfolio committee calling for its dissolution last month.
The board is set to appear before the committee again on 5 November to answer questions on various corruption scandals and disciplinary action against staff members.
Democratic Alliance MP Toby Chance said the party would use the meeting to question law enforcement agencies and board members to ensure that the “full extent of corruption at the NLC is uncovered”.
“If it becomes evident that whistleblowers have faced a miscarriage of justice, the DA will be exploring ways in which Mr (Mzukazi) Makatse and other whistleblowers are compensated if their allegations are found to be true,” he said in a statement.
Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau revealed in a written reply that the NLC spent over R73 million on lawyers to act in internal disciplinary inquiries and litigation against both current and former staff between the 2019/20 and 2023/24 financial years.
Chance said 50 cases were documented where the NLC disputed Labour Court rulings, defended staff dismissals, or litigated against staff in disciplinary matters.
“One case alone, involving whistleblower Mr Makatse, cost over R8.8 million. Mr Makatse… was suspended and dismissed after refusing to sign off on a multi-rand lottery grant for a for-profit music festival.
“The suspension and dismissal occurred shortly before the grant was paid, despite Makatse raising concerns about corrupt dealings within the NCL.
“His appeals for justice were dismissed, leaving him destitute. In 2023, Makatse received international recognition as a whistleblower, being one of five South Africans awarded the Blueprint for Free Speech award,” Chance said.
He said the DA would ensure that the current NCL board and law enforcement agencies were questioned on the on-going criminal investigations by the National Prosecuting Authority and the Special Investigating Unit into illegally awarded grant money totalling the R1.4 billion.
“Should any whistleblower have been denied justice, the DA is prepared to take legal steps to correct this injustice and ensure full accountability and appropriate compensation,” he said.
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