South Africa’s National Gambling Board (NGB) have been described as being in a “sorry state” by a report commissioned by the Department of Trade & Industry on irregularities which led to last years suspension of the board.
The preliminary report presented by Dr Rob Davies to the Portfolio Committee on Trade & Industry, gave insight into the financial affairs of the NGB leading up to its suspension. So far the report has found several breaches by members of Board finance policies and irregular and unauthorised expenditures.
The NGB has been further accused by the report of unauthorised contract leasing of office accommodation, inappropriate allocation of Board funds, irregular expenditure of RD 3.6 million and unsanctioned appointment of law and consultancy firm.
Furthermore former NGB members have been accused of serving beyond their terms and taking Board payments without the Ministers approval.
The irregularities at the National Gambling Board originally came to light last year in an inspection by the Auditor General, causing the minister to suspend the entire board in September & institute a forensic investigation.
It is expected that Dr Davies will outline proposals on how to re-structure the NGB as a regulatory gambling body for South Africa. The suspension of the NGB, has led South African opposition leaders to call for a review of the nation’s gambling framework, stating that without a planned re-structure gambling in South Africa would be open to market corruption and consumer violations.