Eswatini Gaming Board dismisses Swazi Rally draw complaint

Eswatini’s Gaming Board dismisses a complaint over the Swazi Rally’s E180,000 motorcycle draw after organisers maintain the winning ticket was not changed.

Eswatini.- Eswatini’s Gaming Board has dismissed a complaint over the draw for a Suzuki GSX-800S motorcycle worth E180,000 (US$10,900) at the 2026 Swazi Rally, according to event organisers. They said the winning ticket had not been changed and pledged to strengthen verification procedures at future prize draws.

The Eswatini Gaming Board, which regulates gambling in the country and monitors compliance with applicable laws, rejected the complaint following a review of the disputed prize draw.

Abel Du-Pont lodged the complaint after master of ceremonies Vusi Mamba, known as Mavree, announced ticket number 2026 three times during the draw on August 29, according to Eswatini Observer. The organisers said the winning ticket was numbered 1256 and that Mamba had mistakenly announced 2026, the year of the rally, instead of reading the ticket number.

Du-Pont disputed the organisers’ explanation, saying video footage supported his account of the announcement. Mamba apologised for the confusion, explaining that his thumb had covered the ticket number.

The organisers said the Gaming Board heard oral evidence on September 9 before dismissing the complaint on October 6. In an earlier account, rally representative Sonia Paiva said the ticket presented by the winner was checked against the ticket drawn before the motorcycle was awarded. The organisers said the Board’s ruling confirmed that the winning ticket had not been changed. The organisers said they would strengthen visual verification procedures at future draws.