South African court sets aside the award of the national lottery licence to Sizekhaya and orders Minister Parks Tau to reconsider the bids

L2Who’s affected

Who's affected: "The review was brought by unsuccessful bidders Ithuba Lottery and Ringeta Consortium" (GroundUp). Sizekhaya says "the good causes funded through the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, including old-age homes and children's homes, depend on the lottery running without interruption."

L3Why it’s quiet

Analysis · OVERLOOKED A domestic procurement ruling released on the eve of South Africa's local elections. The coverage we found came from South African outlets.

L4Deeper impact

Deeper impact: "The evaluation committee had ranked Ringeta first," and the NLC adjudication committee "had recommended Ringeta as preferred bidder with Sizekhaya as reserve." The ministerial committee "had recommended Sizekhaya as the preferred bidder and Ithuba as the reserve bidder" (GroundUp). SABC News reports the court "ruled that Tau acted both procedurally and substantively unfairly by secretly appointing a separate Ministerial Committee".

L5Full context

Full context: "Sizekhaya Holdings is the operator of South Africa’s National Lottery from 1 June 2026", and it "notes that the Court made no adverse findings against it on any of the grounds raised" (Sizekhaya statement). GroundUp reports that "In June 2025, amaBhungane reported alleged family links between people in Sizekhaya and deputy president Paul Mashatile"; the judge noted no investigation report "had featured in the [court] papers". "Judge Davis dismissed the EFF’s application" (GroundUp).

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