Allegations of nepotism to be probed at Lotteries Board

This comes after allegations surfaced of the allocation of a R64.1 million grant to Makhaya Arts and Craft by the Arts and Culture Distribution Agency of the Lotteries Board.

"The dti has resolved to appoint an independent investigator to look at the allegations. The allegations are that the grant was allocated to Makhaya Arts and Craft as the daughter of the chairperson of the National Lotteries Board, Prof Alfred Nevhutanda, is employed at this organisation," the department's spokesperson Sidwell Medupi said on Wednesday.

According to the department there is no evidence to back the allegations while Professor Nevhutanda has dismissed the allegations.

Investigator to be appointed

The allocation of the grant is made by the Arts and Culture Distribution Agency. The lotteries board does not get involved in the adjudication process of any of the agencies.

"In the interest of transparency, the dti has resolved to appoint an investigator to look at the process followed in allocating the grant to Makhaya Arts and Craft, and whether there is a link between the allocation of the grant and the employ of the daughter of the chairperson by the organisation. The chairperson has agreed to cooperate fully with the investigation," said the department.

The findings and recommendation of the investigation are expected to be announced in the next 15 days.