The National Lotteries Commission (NLC) has committed R124-million to support organisations combating HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in South Africa, aiming to fill the funding gap left by the withdrawal of support from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Commissioner Jodi Scholtz highlighted that the funds will be directed toward programmes and frontline staff in three key organisations: R70-million to the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) for distribution to partner organisations, R30-million to HIVSA, and R24-million to the Treatment Action Campaign. The focus is on ensuring that funding reaches frontline personnel working directly with high-risk populations, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender individuals, with the goal of advancing South Africa toward the global 95/95/95 HIV targets.
The NLC’s announcement comes amid broader commitments to youth development and food security in provinces such as the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga. The 2024/25 financial year marked a significant improvement for the Commission, which received an unqualified audit opinion after two years of qualified audits due to inherited administrative challenges. This positive assessment underscores efforts to strengthen governance, accountability, and the efficient allocation of funds toward impactful social programs.
Alongside these funding initiatives, the NLC has been addressing ongoing grant fraud concerns. During the financial year, 79 forensic investigations into irregular Lottery funding were concluded, and 28 criminal cases were registered with the South African Police Service. Currently, the NLC is engaged with 487 cases of suspected grant fraud, with investigations either completed, in progress, or under risk prioritisation. Completed investigations are referred to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which is examining grant misuse totaling R2-billion and may expand investigations as new information emerges. The NLC also operates its own forensic panel and investigative team to address tips from its whistleblower hotline, including probes into appointments of legal firms such as Ndebele Lamola Inc., which previously mishandled corruption investigations.
Leadership transitions are underway at the NLC as well, with current chair Reverend Barney Pityana, 80, planning to step down in December. The process to appoint a new chair and an additional board member has commenced, with interviews scheduled for mid-November. Pityana has agreed to remain in office until a formal successor is appointed, ensuring continuity in governance during this transitional period.
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