STATEMENT BY THE NLC IN RESPONSE TO A STATEMENT BY THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE

On 9 June 2021, the DA published a statement, “Lotteries Commissioner doesn’t want to tell Parliament who scored a Covid-19 tender,” written by Mr Mat Cuthbert, MP. It emanated from a Parliamentary Question posed to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition. It was republished by Politicsweb without interrogating the facts.

The NLC places on record that contrary to what is alleged by Mr Cuthbert, the Commissioner provided a report relating to the tender referred to in the DA statement to Parliament wherein the service provider’s details were disclosed. It was done so in terms of a confidential disclosure in accordance with the relevant confidentiality provisions. Therefore, the title and the contents of the statement are misleading and untrue.

The NLC further places on record that it has derived a benefit from the tender. Money was appropriately spent and the NLC received services commensurate with the expenditure in relation thereto in that the scope of work was executed. In addition, money allocated for Covid-19 relief has been disbursed to qualifying beneficiaries in accordance with the objectives of the relief fund.

The NLC is of the view that the statement by the DA and Mr Cuthbert was intended for a mischievous purpose. It constitutes a gross distortion of facts and a repeated, yet failed, attempt to tarnish the image of the NLC and the Commissioner. The suggestion that the NLC and its Commissioner refuse to account to Parliament is rejected. They have not in any way attempted to conceal information from Parliament. They are bound by legal prescripts to account fully to Parliament and will continue to do so in line with the prescripts of accountability and transparency.

Yours Faithfully,

Ms. TCC Mampane

Commissioner: National Lotteries Commission