MPs bemoan slow pace of prosecutions of those implicated in defrauding NLC

CAPE TOWN - Parliament's trade and industry portfolio committee on Thursday bemoaned the slow pace of prosecutions of those implicated of defrauding the National Lotteries Commission, with only one case currently before court.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has, however, had considerable success in freezing the assets of many implicated in its investigations since 2020.

SIU head, Andy Mothibi, has informed the committee that the corruption-busting agency could soon enter a fourth stage of investigations, this time relating to procurement at the lottery.

Over the last four years, the SIU has investigated over 40 non-government and non-profit organisations for defrauding the lotteries commission with contracts worth R2 billion dating back to 2014.

Investigations under the three presidential proclamations are due to be completed at the end of December.

A preliminary report has already been handed to the president.

Mothibi said a fourth proclamation was being prepared as whistleblowers continue to alert the unit of alleged dodgy dealings.

"The investigation has really revealed the failure of process, people and systems, in the main. And when it comes to people, there’s also collusive conduct."

The Hawks said they were currently investigating 16 cases, while two cases were currently awaiting decision from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).