“The NLC has welcomed the ruling of the North Gauteng High Court that has re-confirmed Ithuba as South Africa’s national lottery operator‚” it said in a statement.
“It has taken over a year to get to this point‚ and our focus can now shift solely to matters of regulation‚ funding and working for the public good”‚ NLC chairperson Professor Alfred Nevhutanda was quoted as saying.
An Ithuba statement said the operator has “once again emerged victorious after former lottery operator‚ Gidani‚ was unsuccessful in the latest of a number of court challenges aimed at attempting to reclaim the lottery licence”.
It said Friday’s judgment “follows on the heels of a SCA decision which in March dismissed with costs an appeal by Gidani against an earlier adverse judgement”.
“The SCA in Bloemfontein ruled that there was no ‘justifiable’ merit for an appeal and that there was ‘no reasonable prospect of success’ on the matter.
“The SCA application related to an unsuccessful 2014 legal challenge by Gidani against Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies for having awarded the third National Lottery licence to Ithuba.”
In February‚ Gidani approached the high court to apply for an order to review Davies’ awarding of the lottery licence to Ithuba‚ claiming it was done unlawfully.
Ithuba CEO Charmaine Mabuza said: “We are delighted with the outcome of the litigation and assure the South African public that we will continue to focus on invigorating the National Lottery and delivering world class service.
“This judgement affirms our view that Ithuba is the legitimate and preferred licence operator of the South African National Lottery.”
