NLC chairperson Pityana resigns amidst corruption crackdown
Under his leadership, Pityana spearheaded measures to stabilise the organisation and combat corruption.
South Africa.- Professor Barney Pityana has resigned as the chairperson of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), with two years remaining on his five-year tenure. His exit comes at a critical juncture for the NLC, which has been working to recover from years of corruption scandals that have severely damaged its reputation.
According to reports, Pityana, a human rights lawyer and anti-apartheid activist, conveyed his resignation to Parks Tau, Trade and Competition Minister, in a letter, though the specific reasons behind his decision were not disclosed.
Pityana was appointed in September 2022 after a contentious two-year selection process, succeeding Alfred Nevhutanda, whose tenure was marred by allegations of widespread mismanagement. Under his leadership, Pityana spearheaded measures to stabilise the organisation and combat corruption, particularly targeting the misuse of the proactive funding model introduced in 2016, which allowed the NLC to fund projects without formal applications.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) reported to Parliament earlier this year that it is probing projects worth at least R2 billion, many linked to the proactive funding mechanism, which were at the heart of the NLC’s looting crisis. Despite progress, the commission continues to face challenges in restoring public trust.
The reasons for Pityana’s resignation are unclear, though he had signalled his intent to step down to colleagues earlier this year. Having turned 80 this month, it is possible that personal factors played a role in his decision.
The resignation follows months of tension. In May 2025, the Public Servants Association (PSA) called for Pityana’s removal, accusing him of “inconsistent and unclear governance” and a “lack of empathy” toward staff, citing issues like excessive reliance on consultants and denied bonuses. However, Commissioner Scholtz defended Pityana, praising his “determination, vigour, and integrity” in leading anti-corruption efforts.
Political opposition groups have raised concerns about the resignation. Build One South Africa (BOSA) describes Pityana’s exit as “deeply conspicuous” and urges him to disclose any knowledge of ongoing tender scandals. The Democratic Alliance (DA), through spokesperson Toby Chance, said the resignation came as a “surprise” and called on Minister Tau to swiftly appoint a successor with “impeccable integrity” to maintain reform momentum.
Tau’s office has yet to respond to inquiries about the resignation, leaving questions about the NLC’s next steps unanswered. As the commission navigates this leadership transition, the urgency to sustain anti-corruption measures and rebuild credibility remains paramount.
