Legal challenges hampering efforts to get rid of officials identified in fraud and corruption - NLC

CAPE TOWN - The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) said legal challenges were hampering efforts to discipline and get rid of officials identified in fraud and corruption. 

Parliament's trade and industry committee on Thursday heard that one official had been on suspension for two years. 

Although the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) had made 13 referrals to the commission to discipline errant officials, NLC Commissioner Jodi Scholtz said deliberate delaying tactics were stalling the process.

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In the past two months, the lotteries commission has dismissed two more officials identified through investigations by the SIU.

In one case, the former client liaison officer, Sibonelo Vilakazi, funneled 48 payments totaling R31.2 million through his wife’s company, using the money to buy property and luxury vehicles. 

Scholtz said the new board and executives were determined to move swiftly against staff flagged for corruption.

"Some of the individuals are still within the organisation. Whenever we get a referral from the SIU, within two days they are placed on suspension."

As part of the clean-up campaign, lifestyle audits have now also been performed on more than 50 staffers.

At least 150 officials suspected of wrongdoing by the commission have also been referred to the police.