The Public Protector has closed the file on the investigation against the CEO of the Northern Cape Gambling Board, Vincent Mothibi, relating to a bookmaker operating licence that was awarded in April last year.
THE PUBLIC Protector has closed the file on the investigation against the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Northern Cape Gambling Board, Vincent Mothibi, relating to a bookmaker operating licence that was awarded to Vengies Gaming (Pty) Ltd in April 2021.
Mothibi stated that the report exonerated him as the public protector had found no evidence against him. “The allegations are unwarranted, unsubstantiated and not correct.”
A complaint was lodged anonymously at the Northern Cape provincial Office of the Public Protector on November 9, 2021, relating to allegations of improper conduct and maladministration against Mothibi – who was the acting CEO at the time.
The complaint claimed that Mothibi had acted in violation of the regulations as his term had expired at the time the gambling licence was awarded and at a time when a new gambling board had not been appointed yet.
It was stated that a gambling licence could only be awarded by the gambling board and could not be delegated to the CEO.
It was alleged that Mothibi had adjusted his salary and irregularly amended the organisational structure.
According to the public protector’s report dated August 12, the allegations were not substantiated.
“The allegation that the acting chief executive officer of the Northern Cape Gambling Board, Vincent Mothibi, awarded a gambling licence to Vengies Gaming in April 2021 was not well founded. In light of the above, our office intends to close the file.”
The public protector referred any complainants who were not satisfied with the decision to request an internal review of the outcome in writing or to approach the court to review the decision to close the investigation.
Meanwhile, Deeps Betting Grounds (Pty) Ltd trading as Scorebet has applied for an interdict against the Northern Cape Gambling Board as well as Vengies Gaming (Pty) Ltd.
According to court papers, Scorebet obtained an interdict to restrain the gambling board from implementing and giving effect to the temporary bookmaker licence that was awarded to Vengies Gaming in respect of the premises located in Craven and Currey Street in Kimberley.
Scorebet stated that despite a court order that was handed down on May 6, Vengies continued to operate over the weekend until May 9.
“Only after Scorebet launched a contempt application did Vengies stop its operations. Whilst the board rejected Vengies’ licence application, they convinced them to grant a licence in respect of a different address at 18 Craven Street rather than the advertised 18 Currey Street. The board granted the licence although its mandate had expired in respect of the Vengies licence application and there being no pending application before the board for the Craven Street premises.”
It is alleged that the licence was granted improperly for fear that there would be objections for the Craven Street premises.
“These facts support the grounds … to review and set aside the board’s decision, taken on March 23, to approve Vengies bookmaker’s licence application for its site at 18 Craven Street, alternatively 18 Currey Street.”
Scorebet pointed out that the site was not suitable as it was situated within 310 metres of St Mary’s Catholic Church from Currey Street and 410 metres from the church from Du Toitspan Road.
“The application was made on the basis of a material misrepresentation of fact where the premises located at 18 Craven Street did not fall within 500 metres of a school or place or worship.
“On the basis of a material misrepresentation, the board was legally empowered to alter the address attaching to the licence application, by changing the licensed premises from 18 Currey Street as was advertised to 18 Craven Street as proposed by Vengies.”
Scorebet was of the opinion that the decision was unfair.
“The record reveals a disturbing pattern of unlawful, irrational, unreasonable and procedurally unfair decision-making by the board.”
