×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Lotto unlikely to sparkle by mid-June

MIRAGE: Will Uthingo's lottery machine spin winning numbers again? Pic. Sefako Mabuya. 25/07/2000. © Sowetan.
MIRAGE: Will Uthingo's lottery machine spin winning numbers again? Pic. Sefako Mabuya. 25/07/2000. © Sowetan.

Waghied Misbach

Waghied Misbach

It is becoming increasingly unlikely that the national lottery will come into operation in June.

Yesterday embattled Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa could not provide an exact date when the national lottery would start operating, saying he would only be able to give a "definitive" answer by the end of May.

The minister's uncertainty comes in the wake of the statement by the director-general of the department late last month that it was likely that the lottery would come back into operation by mid-June.

Mpahlwa initially suspended the lottery for a month at the end of March. New operator Gidani was meant to take over, but Uthingo, the current operator, launched a successful court bid to prevent this from happening. The other bidders for the licence are Igwija Gaming and Nikan'Abantu.

Mpahlwa said that he was still waiting for some of the bidders to provide shareholder information to the National Lotteries Board.

The information was expected by the third week of May, he said, and then time would have to be set aside to process the information and for him to apply his mind to the matter.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.