Parliament, Thursday, 4 June 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition has called on law enforcement agencies to accelerate investigations arising from National Lotteries Commission (NLC) corruption and fraud cases.
The committee received a detailed briefing yesterday from the Hawks and the NLC on progress in investigating historical allegations of fraud, maladministration and the misuse of lottery funds.
During the 2025/26 financial year alone, the NLC finalised 72 forensic investigation reports, with 63 allegations confirmed. The value of confirmed irregularities amounted to approximately R241.5 million. This follows findings worth more than R56 million uncovered during the previous financial year. The committee also noted that 26 criminal cases were referred to the South African Police Service during the 2025/26 financial year, while investigations continue into several high-profile fraud and money laundering matters involving millions of Rands in lottery funding.
Among the 14 ongoing cases receiving attention from the Hawks are investigations involving projects valued at around R180 million, where allegations include the diversion of funds, the use of fictitious organisations, conflicts of interest, money laundering and projects that were never implemented despite receiving substantial grants.
The committee welcomed the fact that some investigations have now reached an advanced stage. In two separate matters involving alleged fraud worth more than R1,8 million combined, cases were before a court. While a further 17 matters involving alleged fraud worth more than R290 million combined have already been forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision or processing.
The committee further noted that the NLC has continued implementing recommendations made by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), including strengthening grant application systems, improving controls, enhancing verification processes and introducing mechanisms designed to prevent multiple applications from being submitted through different entities using the same address or directors. Equally significant is the progress made in consequence management. Several officials implicated in wrongdoing have either been dismissed, resigned or retired.
Committee Chairperson, Mr Mzwandile Masina, said South Africans are still waiting for the conclusion of cases that have dominated headlines over recent years. "We want to make sure that by the end of our term all these matters have been concluded through the various legal processes. We must leave no stone unturned as we begin a new chapter for the National Lotteries Commission," he said.
The Chairperson also welcomed signs of growing stability within the institution and encouraged the Board and management to move with speed in filling senior leadership vacancies so that the institution can be fully stabilised. The committee will continue to exercise rigorous oversight and expects further progress reports from the NLC and law enforcement agencies in the coming months.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION, MR MZWANDILE MASINA.
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