President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed an amendment to the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) proclamation of 2020, significantly broadening the scope of the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) investigation into the affairs of the NLC.
The SIU said proclamation R293 of 2025 extends the investigation’s timeframe, allowing the SIU to probe allegations of serious maladministration from the inception of the original proclamation in November 2020 up to October 10 2025. This effectively extends the investigation period by five years.
The amended proclamation also adds 21 new categories of procurement and contracting to the investigation.
“These include a wide range of services in which it is alleged that procurement processes were flouted and public funds were misused.”
The SIU said the amended proclamation authorised it to investigate whether the procurement of, or contracting for, these services was conducted in a manner that was not fair, equitable, transparent, competitive or cost-effective.
The investigation will also cover any related unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the NLC or the state.
The SIU said the initial investigation was divided into three phases, valued at about R2bn.
“The SIU is concluding the third phase and will proceed with civil litigation. Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption and fraud, the SIU is committed to identifying systemic failures and recommending measures to prevent future losses.”
TimesLIVE
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