R2K Statement: The DTI must act on the lotto exposé!
The Right2Know Campaign is deeply disturbed by the stance taken by the self-proclaimed, “UNITED CIVIL SOCIETY IN ACTION” which is led by the South Africa National NGO Coalition (SANGOCO) and various other unnamed organisations.
Today – Thursday, 05 March, this so-called “civil society movement”, which appeared out of nowhere in the last couple of weeks, marched to the offices of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in Tshwane. The stated purpose of the march – contained in a media statement issued by SANGOCO on Monday – was to raise concerns related to “attackers of the National Lotteries Commission” (NLC).
What this refers to are the extensive allegations against the NLC related to the improper and fraudulent disbursement and use of funds as well as conflicts of interest surrounding monies meant for the upgrading of sanitation facilities at poor schools in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape. Further, there are serious questions that have been raised related to the subsequent silence around an NLC-initiated investigation into these allegations by an audit firm. The evidence for these allegations has been provided by in-depth investigative journalism carried out by freelance journalist Raymond Joseph through a series of reports published by GroundUp.
Besides the general secrecy, arrogance and defensiveness exhibited by the NLC since the allegations surfaced, it is instructive that NLC COO, Phillemon Letwaba sued GroundUp for R600,000 – including demanding the removal of the articles that GroundUp published and those republished by other news sites – before the NLC investigation was initiated. Letwaba has since taken leave of absence.
As a result, various calls, including by the opposition DA Alliance, have been made to DTI Minister, Ebrahim Patel to fire the NLC board and place the entity under administration – calls that the “UNITED CIVIL SOCIETY IN ACTION” have used to argue that the NLC is under “attack” and that any such action would threaten unnamed ‘civil society organisations’ with ruin given that they rely on NLC funding.
The group has also argued that parallel calls to publicize information related to those recipient organisations implicated in alleged corruption, is a violation of their right to privacy as per the confidentiality clause in the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). However, as any organisation that has struggled to access information from the state and the private sector knows all too well, the attempt to use PAIAs confidentiality clause is wholly misdirected. Besides this being a well-worn ‘reason’ for refusal of most state and private entities to release info, it does not apply in cases where there is a public interest and where there is clear signs of corruption/criminal behaviour; something that R2K has pointed out numerous times over the years.
We view the actions of the “UNITED CIVIL SOCIETY IN ACTION” grouping as nothing more than a naked attempt to defend corrupt people within the NLC as well as those recipient organisations involved. While we understand that the accused have the right to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise, we call on DTI to ensure that all related information is released publically and that all those implicated in wrongdoings face the consequences of their actions.
Ordinary South Africans are suffering because resources meant to improve their everyday lives are channelled elsewhere by corrupt individuals hiding behind the fig leafs of confidentiality. It’s critical that they are held accountable for their corrupt actions. We cannot allow any criminal, wherever they might be. to operate with impunity.
Stand up to the abuse of power!
Phantsi nge Corruption!
Ongazi Makazi!
For more information contact:
Thabo Maile, R2K NWG Member: 078 119 4257
Dale McKinley, R2K GWG Member: 072 429 4086
