Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile (centre) briefing the media today
By Staff Reporter
Johannesburg — The Gauteng Provincial Government has appointed a Committee of Inquiry and a Legal Expert to investigate alleged fraud, corruption and poor governance at the Gauteng Liquor Board (GLB), Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB) and Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA).
During a media address on Sunday, Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Development, Lebogang Maile, made the announcement.
Maile explained the investigations were meant to uncover wrongdoing in these key institutions, which generate revenue and regulate businesses in the province.
“The Gauteng Liquor Board has been experiencing an increase in suspicious, fraudulent, and corrupt activities. The era of impunity has long ended, and we will continue to work with law enforcement to bring perpetrators of criminal and unlawful activities in the Gauteng Provincial Government to justice,” Maile said.
Some of the alleged offences under investigation by the Liquor Board include selling licences without proper approval, accepting bribes from traders, and failing to comply with health and safety regulations. The inquiry will also assess whether the automated online application process, intended to reduce fraud, may have inadvertently created new opportunities for fraud and abuse.
To lead this inquiry, the Provincial Government appointed a 13-member committee, chaired by Fhedzisani Pandelani and deputised by Advocate Oscar Mudimeli. The members were carefully selected from a range of sectors to reflect a broad view and knowledge base.
Advocate William Mokhare SC, the legal expert, will focus his investigations on the Gauteng Gambling Board (GGB) and the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA), with support from Adv. Lerato and Adv. Neo Ntingane.
The GGB is a key institution that oversees and controls gambling in Gauteng, including the issuing of licences and the supervision of gambling operations. It plays a crucial role in protecting consumers, strengthening oversight, and preventing unfair practices in the industry.
“The main function of the Gauteng Gambling Board is to oversee and control gambling activities in Gauteng, including licensing of individuals and entities to conduct gambling and related activities. It is a supervisory body in terms of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act and a regulatory authority in terms of the National Gambling Act.”
The legal expert’s investigation will cover financial mismanagement, poor governance, unfair appointments, abuse of power and intimidation of employees. Specifically, it will assess whether there were cases of unjust and irregular appointments made without following proper procedures, whether financial resources were misused, and whether there were cases of abuse of power by GGB officials against employees and stakeholders in the industry.
The Gauteng Gambling Board plays a crucial role in the province’s financial health, generating revenue through gambling licences and related activities. It is a powerful institution that, when governed transparently and fairly, contributes positively to the provincial coffers and service delivery.
The legal expert has 30 days from the date of his appointment to submit a comprehensive report to the MEC. His team will investigate financial and administrative decisions made by the GGB and the GGDA to uncover any instances of fraud, misconduct, or poor oversight.
The investigations will also examine whether there were instances of unfair treatment of businesses and gambling licence holders and whether proper procedures were followed in appointing key employees.
“The era of impunity is long gone. We will pursue fairness, justice, and proper oversight in all these institutions. We are committed to a fair and impartial process, following proper legal procedures, and we will act decisively once we have all the facts.” Maile said.
The salaries and allowances of members of the inquiry will be made available in the department’s financial statements, and the legal expert’s fees will be openly documented in the department’s books in keeping with the Public Finance Management Act and Treasury Regulations.
The Gauteng Provincial Government is clear that this process is not a witch hunt but a way to clean up institutions and promote fairness, transparency and good governance in the province. The ultimate aim is to create a climate where businesses can operate honestly and efficiently and where the public can have confidence in their regulators.
“It is a legal and moral duty, which the Gauteng Provincial Government will not abdicate. We take these investigations very seriously because we know the implications of fraud and poor governance — not just for revenue collection and service delivery, but for the credibility of our institutions and the future of Gauteng.” Maile said.
He called on businesses, members of the public and stakeholders to come forward with information to aid the investigations. “Your cooperation is key to strengthening oversight and fairness in these institutions. If you have information, please bring it forward.”
The Provincial Government stressed its “unambiguous stance that institutions of government in the Gauteng Province will be cleansed of all that undermines our collective goal of economic growth and human development.”
MEDIA BRIEFING ON GOVERNMENT OWNED-ENTITIES
We have appointed a Committee of Inquiry to investigate the allegations of corruption and unlawful activities at the Gauteng Liquor Board and a Legal Expert to investigate allegations levelled against the GGDA and the Gauteng… pic.twitter.com/YeFUS2t5aJ
— Lebogang Maile (@LebogangMaile1) June 15, 2025
