WATCH: Two National Lotteries Commission officials arrested
Two officials based at the National Lotteries Commission's office in Kimberley in the Northern Cape have been arrested.
A sting operation was carried out by the Special Investigation Unit and the Hawks on Thursday.
Accompanied by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Prevention (HAWKS), SIU investigators are currently raiding NLC offices to seize evidence that might assist with an ongoing investigation. pic.twitter.com/0oVyJwMqXb
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) March 10, 2022
Investigators searched a house where the two suspects are understood to live together.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained a search and seizure warrant from the Kimberly Magistrate Court, Northern Cape province, to raid the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) offices. pic.twitter.com/Neh4bVBUR4
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) March 10, 2022
"The allegation is that they have got runners outside who go and approach different NPOs in the province and then ask them to apply for funding from the lottery commission and once that is done, they then receive 30% of that," says SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
"The officials, together with this runner, it's each and every transaction they have facilitated the NPOs to be given the funding they get 30% of that amount in cash."
READ: Zuma heads to SCA in bid to remove Downer
"That is why we felt it was important not to request for this information because people will destroy the information, but to come personally and collect this information and go to the house of these officials to make sure we get all the evidence we need for the purpose of the investigation."
