South African NLC suspends senior officials as corruption crackdown continues

South African NLC suspends senior officials as corruption crackdown continues
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Attempts to clean up operations at the South African National Lotteries Commission (NLC) have gathered pace after five senior members were recently suspended.

As reported by South African news outlet GroundUp, the officials in question have been suspended on full pay with disciplinary hearings expected to begin early next year.

One of them, South African NLC Legal Executive Tendo Ramogoma, resigned soon after he was suspended a few weeks ago.

The suspensions follow a concerted effort by the NLC to crack down on corruption at the organisation, which has faced a series of allegations in recent times.

Ex-COO Phillemon Letwaba has been at the centre of many of these allegations, receiving his third suspension in July 2022 for charges of corruption.

Ex-Commissioner Thabang Mampane has also been accused of embezzlement while there was an investigation launched in September to probe historical missing lottery funds.

Confirming the latest wave of suspensions at the South African NLC, Acting Spokesperson Idaho Ntsana said: “Disciplinary procedures are underway.

“The National Lotteries Commission has made a commitment in parliament and to the public to act decisively against all allegations of fraud, corruption and financial misconduct.”

The other four officials suspended are:

  • Marubini Ramatsekisa, Head of Risk. The risk unit is charged with rooting out corruption.
  • Nompumelelo Nene, Secretary.
  • Mogoboya Matsebatlela, Senior Manager, Supply Chain and Facilities.
  • Ndivhuho Mafela, Spokesperson and Head of Stakeholder Relations, Marketing and Communications.