Ramaphosa proclamation significantly expands scope of SIU's probe into corruption at NLC

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU)’s probe into corruption at the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) has been significantly expanded through a new proclamation issued by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

It extends the timeframe to investigate allegations of maladministration by five years, up to 10 October 2025.

The widening scope has been prompted by witness testimony during the current probe, which has been ongoing since 2020.

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It’s already led to millions of rands in assets obtained through the looting being seized.

The new proclamation adds 21 categories of procurement and contracting to the existing investigation.

These include a wide range of services in which its alleged that procurement processes were flouted and public funds were misused.

The newly-added matters that will now be investigated include the contracting of a panel of attorneys, the appointment of a service provider for an employee wellness programme and contracts to some of the country’s biggest media houses.

Quirkier contracts include hiring service providers for a Women’s Day flash mob, to investigate an alleged hacking incident involving board documents, and to deliver an ethics course.

SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago: "The SIU is now authorised to investigate whether the procurement of and contracting of these services was conducted in a manner that was not fair, equitable, transparent, competitive, or cost-effective."

The SIU's initial investigation has been divided in three phases valuedat around two billion rand.

The third phase is about to conclude, with civil litigation set to follow.