High Court sets aside Sizekhaya lottery licence award
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on IOL
The Gauteng High Court set aside the award to Sizekhaya Holdings of South Africa’s fourth national lottery and sports betting licence. Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau must reconsider the choice within 12 months, while the lottery will continue operating during the transition, IOL reports.
The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria set aside the award to Sizekhaya Holdings of South Africa’s fourth national lottery and sports pools licence. The ruling, delivered on Monday in cases brought by Ithuba Lottery and Ringeta Consortium, refers the matter back to the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, according to IOL.
The minister must reconsider the award within 12 months and set aside the report and recommendations of the ministerial committee. The court also declared invalid the contract between the minister, the National Lotteries Commission and Sizekhaya.
The setting aside of the licence is suspended for two consecutive six-month periods to protect the public interest and ensure continuity while the matter is reviewed. Sizekhaya says tickets will remain on sale, draws will take place as scheduled and prizes will be paid as usual. The National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund supports, among others, old-age homes and children’s homes, the company says.
