Chairperson, it is now 153 days since the suspension of the Lotto. This week the DA lodged a complaint with the Public Service Commission over a 42,4% increase in the performance bonuses that were awarded to the staff and board of the National Lotteries Board, the NLB.
It is impossible that this increase in performance bonuses could be justified or even deemed reasonable, because the NLB had neither a staff performance appraisal system in place as required by the Public Financial Management Act; nor did it succeed in carrying out its mandate in terms of advising the Minister properly on the issuing of a licence to conduct the lottery. It also could not carry out or administer the lottery distribution agencies, as they were disabled for much of the year.
While the actual National Lotteries Board is claiming no wrongdoing and that the Minister signed off on the bonuses personally, the Department of Trade and Industry tells the press it is a matter that is entirely internal to this troubled lotteries board.
Who is wrong and who is right? One can only surmise that it is the same chaos and confusion that can ultimately be blamed for the suspension of the Lotto.