South Africa Parliament forwards NLC chairperson shortlist to Parks Tau
The recommendation was adopted by Parliament on Tuesday, despite opposition from the Democratic Alliance (DA).
South Africa.- South Africa’s Parliament has approved a shortlist of three candidates for the position of Chairperson of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) and forwarded it to Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau for final selection.
The parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition submitted the names of current NLC board members King Tembinkosi Bonakele, Mpho Mosing and Lufuno Tokyo Nevondwe as the final candidates to replace outgoing NLC Chairperson Barney Pityana.
The recommendation was adopted by Parliament on Tuesday, despite opposition from the Democratic Alliance (DA) which voted against the report during proceedings in the National Assembly.
The DA said its opposition was linked to Bonakele’s role on the current NLC board and the handling of a reparation process for whistle-blowers connected to corruption investigations involving lottery funding.
DA MP Toby Chance told Parliament that the current board failed to properly compensate whistle-blowers who exposed alleged corruption linked to lottery grants. According to Chance, the board approved non-financial support measures for some current and former staff members, including counselling, food vouchers and school fee assistance, while external whistle-blowers did not receive compensation for legal costs or loss of income.
The dispute added further political tension to the appointment process. Parliament’s earlier attempt to debate the report was postponed after disagreements between parties disrupted proceedings.
During Tuesday’s sitting, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) called for a formal division vote. The report was eventually passed with 218 votes in favour and 59 against. Members of the African National Congress (ANC) accused the DA of opposing Bonakele for political and racial reasons during the debate.
The appointment comes at a critical period for South Africa’s lottery sector. The NLC has faced ongoing scrutiny over governance failures, oversight of grant allocation and allegations of corruption tied to lottery-funded projects. Investigations by media outlets and enforcement agencies in recent years have increased pressure on the regulator to strengthen accountability systems within the country’s lottery and gambling industry.
Minister Tau is expected to review the recommendations before appointing a new chairperson. While Parliament has submitted the shortlist, the minister is not legally bound to choose from the three nominated candidates.
