Some opposition parties reject DTIC's budget over multi-billion rand lottery operator licence

CAPE TOWN - Some opposition parties have rejected the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s budget over the multi-billion rand lottery operator licence.

Parties have raised questions over new operator Sizekhaya Holdings’s alleged links to Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s sister-in-law.

The conflict was exposed by amaBhungane, which revealed that one of the co-owners of Bellamont Gaming was the twin sister of Mashatile's wife.

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Opposition MPs used Friday’s budget debate to condemn the perceived conflict of interest, with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) calling the lottery the African National Congress’s “cash cow”.

Last week, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) confirmed that Sizekhaya’s appointment would take effect in a year’s time.

But the decision was met with outrage over links to the deputy president’s sister-in-law with the eff threatening legal action.

EFF MP Chumani Matiwane said that in a "normal world", their focus would only be on the budget.

"But this is not a normal world. This is the world where this department has been identified as a cash cow for the ANC. We therefore cannot in good conscience support this budget vote."

MK Party MP Edward Ntshingila also rejected the budget.

"We reject this budget because it sustains exclusion, reproduces poverty and abdicates responsibility for transformation."

Parties also expressed their opposition to the R100 billion Transformation Fund, saying it remains shrouded in secrecy.