Pandor share holding setback for Uthingo lotto appeal
Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa told the Pretoria High Court yesterday that lottery operator Uthingo had been ruled out of contention for the new lottery licence because Education Minister Naledi Pandor had shares in a company with a stake in Uthingo.
However, Mpahlwas legal team defended prominent ANC member Max Sisulus financial interest in the winning Gidani consortium, on the grounds that he was not a political office bearer. A Business Day report says the hearing is likely to refocus attention on the role of politicians in companies that tender for state contracts. Uthingo is challenging Mpahlwas decision last year to award the lottery licence to Gidani, and wants the court to set aside the decision and hand the licence to Uthingo pending the outcome of the judicial review. Full Business Day report