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Former South African Gambling Board Members Face Criminal Charges

"This follows a two-year investigation by the special investigative unit (SIU), the government's premier investigative organisation, and the Investigative Directorate for Serious Economic Offences into alleged irregularities and corruption at the gambling board.

"The SIU was asked to refer its findings against members of the gambling board to National Director of Public Prosecution Bulelani Ngcuka for `criminal steps' to be taken by advocate Jan Henning, special director of court management at Ngcuka's office.

"Henning, who recently conducted an audit of the unit's workload, has also asked the unit to refer the case to Northern Province Premier Ngoako Ramatlhodi for possible recoveries of funds lost due to irregularities by the former gambling board members.

"…The charges against the former gambling board members centres on their handling of gambling-related tenders between 1998 and 1999. In 1998 the board called for businesses to submit applications for the first casino licence in the Northern Province after 1994.

"The awarding of the casino licence came to a standstill for more than two years after disgruntled casino licence bidders laid a case of corruption against the board in the Pretoria High Court.

"…The casino bidders claimed the gambling board had misused their non-refundable cash deposits, which all casino applicants were required to pay out. The government was ordered to repay the funds, which totalled more than R3-million ($1.9 million).

"…The board was also accused of making irregular appointments and abusing taxpayers' funds. Other charges include irregular payments to board members, irregular conclusion of agreements and irregular payment of monies relating to applicants for casino licences.

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