Victory for Anti-Corruption Movement: Lottery Boss Resigns

Just weeks before her term is set to expire in September, the Commissioner of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) has resigned “with immediate effect”.

Thabang Charlotte Mampane served as the Commissioner for a decade and her role was that of chief executive officer of the NLC.

Moneyweb quoted “several sources” confirming that Mampane has left NLC permanently.

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Soon afterwards, the NLC confirmed her resignation: “The Board acknowledges the resignation of Ms TCC Mampane from her position as Commissioner of the National Lotteries Commission, effective 15 August 2022 and is considering the letter of resignation.”

“The process of the appointment of the new Commissioner is well underway. The Board ensures the efficient and effective operation of the Commission, while processes are underway,” it added.

GroundUp has reported multiple incidents over the years where it has accused the Lottery of misspending funding. It claims that hundreds of millions of rands were misappropriated while Mampane headed the organization.

Just two weeks ago, GroundUp reported that money that was earmarked to rebuild a school in Limpopo that had burnt down, had actually been used to pay for Lampane’s luxury home in the upmarket Pecanwood Estate in the North West Province.

The house, located on a golf estate, is registered in the name of a trust where the Mampane couple are trustees, and their children are listed as beneficiaries.

The Pecanwood house is just one of several that was allegedly purchased with Lottery funds – money that was due to go to good causes in poverty-stricken areas around South Africa. As soon as the GroundUp story was published recently, Mampane went on leave, despite the fact that she is due to retire from her job as Commissioner in September.

The Special Investigating Unit is investigating the Pecanwood Estate house issue – one of many incidents that the unit has uncovered ever since President Cyril Ramaphosa authorized the investigation.

Randomly Selected Numbers

The man, who preferred to keep his identity anonymous, used a banking app and chose his numbers manually.The winning numbers were 3, 7, 13, 31, 34, 49 and bonus number 50. Ithuba, South Africa’s official National Lottery operator, was on hand to congratulate the winner.CEO, Charmaine Mabuza said: “Using numbers that he had randomly selected, the lucky player betted on the same numbers twice and bagged the full Plus 1 jackpot amount.

Plans for Lottery Windfall

The lucky winner was absolutely thrilled with this life-changing sum of money won and already declared plans for his windfall. He said that he was “extremely happy” to learn that he had won the Lotto jackpot. The money will be used to pay off debts. He is also currently building a house for himself and his wife and a small portion of the winnings are earmarked towards the completion and furnishing of the house. “I plan on investing the balance of my winnings to have savings available for a rainy day,” said the wise winner.

Celebrating Another App Winner

Mabuza also pointed out the fact that more and more people are buying their lottery tickets online and via banking apps.

“Our approach has always been one that is innovative and technology driven,” said Mabuza. “Since taking over as the operator in 2015, we have moved with the times and utilised technology as one of the best tools to help us fulfil our mandate and elevate the South African National Lottery to a world-class standard.”

About Lotto Plus

Lotto Plus, introduced to South African players in November,2003, is one of the many products offered by the South African National Lottery. Lotto Plus 1 is exactly the same as the Lotto game but gives players a second chance to win. When buying a Lotto ticket, players need to pay an extra R2.50 per board, and this will entitle them to enter the Lotto Plus 1 draw.

The odds of winning the jackpot are the same as the Lotto jackpot, although the prizes are slightly lower. The odds of winning any prize are 1:72. Lotto Plus draws are conducted on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 20:56. Players need to be 18 years or older to play Lottery games in South Africa. Tickets can be bought in person at approved retailers, or online to people who have ABSA, FNB, Nedbank and Standard Bank accounts, or those who have registered at the Ithuba website.

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