Suspended Lotteries COO finally suspended after SIU’s intervention

11 October 2021

Note to Editors: Please find an attached soundbite by Mat Cuthbert MP

The DA welcomes the Special Investigative Unit’s (SIU) recommendation that the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) suspends its rogue COO, Philemon Letwaba.

This comes after he was on a so-called “leave of absence” for 17 months (despite a brief period back at work) in which he pocketed in excess of R3 million.

According to media outlet GroundUp:

“At the time, some NLC sources claimed he had in fact been placed on precautionary suspension while the SkX investigation was being conducted. This was done to ensure that he could not interfere with the investigation, in which he is a key person of interest, one source said.”

However, he returned to work in July 2021 despite the SkX investigation not having been completed.

This move by the SIU shows that its investigation into corruption and malfeasance at NLC is nearing its conclusion.

The DA looks forward to the parliamentary committee being briefed on the SIU’s investigation as soon as it is complete.

Those within and linked to the NLC who have stolen from the poor and vulnerable must face the full might of the law and be held accountable for their cruel actions.

Issued by Mat Cuthbert, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, 11 October 2021