According to Tembe, Deputy President Paul Mashatile<\/strong> and other political figures had no financial interest, direct or indirect, in their proposal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tembe’s statement comes amid allegations of exploiting the close ties his business partner, and Mashatile’s sister-in-law, Advocate Khumo Bogatsu<\/strong>, has with the deputy president, to win the bid. The accusations were fuelled by a report from an investigative journalism outfit, amaBhugane<\/strong>, which revealed that Bellamont Gaming<\/strong>, a company co-owned by Tembe and Bogatsu, held shares in Sizekhaya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n amaBhungane also noted that Bellamont Gaming was registered in December 2023<\/strong>, nine months following Mashatile’s wedding to Bogatsu’s sister. Just ahead of the February 2024<\/strong> lottery licence bidding deadline, the group formed Sizekhaya Holdings with their consortium partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Tembe asserted that Sizekhaya won the contract because of its strong bid, in-depth gaming knowledge and commitment to boosting lottery revenue for the government, good causes and players. He also stated that Bellamont Gaming never had any discussions about the bid with Mashatile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tembe said: “We are of the view that it is in the public interest to state that Bellamont Gaming, in which Adv Khumo Bogatsu and I are directors, hold one of the smallest stakes, totalling 7 per cent, in Sizekhaya. Adv Bogatsu owns 2 per cent, and Bellamont Investments owns 5 per cent<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I invited Adv Bogatsu on the strength of her qualifications and much-needed experience required to navigate the legal complexities of the industry to join me in taking a stake in Sizekhaya. This led to the formation of Bellamont Gaming, as a subsidiary of Bellamont Investments, which has been in business for years.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tembe argued that Bogatsu, despite her family connection to Mashatile, remained an ordinary South African with the right to explore legitimate business opportunities.
The consortium leader also spoke on the allegations about accompanying Mashatile to France<\/strong>. He clarified that the trip was at the invitation of South African ambassador Nathi Mthethwa<\/strong>, and he attended in his capacity as a business leader. Besides, he said, many other South African business people, including shareholders of other competing lottery bidders, attended as well.
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