Top 10 stories of the day: New lottery operator
Here's your daily news update for Wednesday, 28 May 2025: An easy-to-read selection of our top stories.
News today includes the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have announced the appointment of a new lottery operator.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), Collins Letsoalo, has been placed on special leave with full pay.
Furthermore, the Hawks confirmed this afternoon that they are investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud after a judge ordered in April that a copy of his order be forwarded to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for investigation and possible prosecution for not complying with the Companies Act.
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Big change to Lotto operations: Will tickets be on sale next week?
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have announced the appointment of a new lottery operator.
Minister Parks Tau confirmed that he had received a report from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) confirming an agreement with their preferred bidder.
Picture: iStock
The report on the concluded negotiations was received on Monday, but lottery players are still in the dark as to whether they can panda, pusha, playa next week.
CONTINUE READING: Big change to Lotto operations: Will tickets be on sale next week?
Six year old's family attempts to withdraw sexual assault case against Limpopo radio DJ
The family of a six-year-old girl in Limpopo is attempting to withdraw a sexual assault case against a Limpopo radio DJ despite legal procedures preventing such action.
A 34-year-old radio personality from Vhembe District was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a minor who is also a relative.
Minor sexual assault. Image used for illustration. Picture: iStock
The DJ, who works at a radio station based in Thohoyandou, appeared before the Waterval Magistrate's Court on Tuesday for a bail application, where family members made their withdrawal request known to authorities.
CONTINUE READING: Six year old's family attempts to withdraw sexual assault case against Limpopo radio DJ
RAF CEO placed on special leave with full pay, as MPs grill fund
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Road Accident Fund (RAF), Collins Letsoalo, has been placed on special leave with full pay.
This was confirmed during a Standing Committee on Public Accounts meeting in parliament on Wednesday. According to RAF board member Lekau Nyama, this is due to precautionary measures.
RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo. Picture: RAF/X
He has been implicated in alleged financial mismanagement and corruption.
CONTINUE READING: RAF CEO placed on special leave with full pay, as MPs grill fund
'I looked for Joshlin when I was mourning my own daughter,' community member tells court
The conviction of Joshlin Smith's mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, along with her co-accused, Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, may never fill the void left by the disappearance of the little girl, as they continue to seek answers from her mother.
The three returned to the Western Cape High Court in Saldanha on Wednesday, where victim impact statements were read out.
Joshlin Smith. Picture: Supplied
On 2 May, Judge Nathan Erasmus found the three guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking.
CONTINUE READING: 'I looked for Joshlin when I was mourning my own daughter,' community member tells court
Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises
The Hawks confirmed this afternoon that they are investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud after a judge ordered in April that a copy of his order be forwarded to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for investigation and possible prosecution for not complying with the Companies Act.
Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, spokesperson for the Hawks, confirmed that the Hawks are investigating the matter after a case was opened at the Sandton police station.
Peet and Melany Viljoen. Picture: Instagram/peetviljoen_ttn
Judge Joseph Raulinga made the order after a prospective Tammy Taylor franchisee, Lebohang Hlathuka, sued Tammy Taylor Global Franchising as well as both the Real Housewives of Pretoria star and her husband to get back the R600 000 she paid for a Tammy Taylor franchise.
CONTINUE READING: Hawks investigating Peet and Melany Viljoen for fraud with Tammy Taylor franchises
Here are five more stories of the day:
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The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
RAF ‘deliberately withholding' information from Scopa
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'We do not know who that law firm is but you can see why that information is pertinent.' He said he cannot understand 'why it is easy to provide the plaintiff information but it seems impossible to provide the corporate legal services information' when the committee has asked for it in writing and in the sitting. Zibi said one of the things he is concerned about is that there are names of law firms that appear on both the lists. ALSO READ: RAF CEO placed on special leave with full pay, as MPs grill fund What does the RAF chair say? RAF chair Lorraine Francois apologised for the information not being provided and assured the committee it will be provided. Zibi said his difficulty is that Francois was in the meeting and knew Scopa asked for this information, which has not been provided. Zibi said it would not be unfair to hold Francois responsible for the failure to provide this information because the board is the accounting authority. 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Scopa member Mark Burke of the DA took issue with her answer and asked her what her annual compensation is. Francois said it is about R1.2 million. 'You get paid R1.2 million, which is the equivalent of a parliamentary salary and in your mind it's too operational for you to respond to the [request] for information,' said Burke. 'That [it] is beyond the scope of your work. Does that seem reasonable to you?' Zibi said he would answer this question. 'You [Francois] didn't think it was important enough because I have raised it twice and you simply didn't bother to check. 'We are not asking you to be operational. I am asking you to ensure that the needs of the committee are met by way of information,' he said. ALSO READ: RAF national crisis demands urgent action – expert 'Terminate the board immediately' Scopa member Alan Beesley of ActionSA followed up by stating that he found Francois's response dumbfounding. 'I saw the list that [Zibi] asked for. 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Zibi said he would have to take legal advice on that and would not hold the Department of Transport or RAF responsible for the tardiness of the SSA. He said Scopa will take that up with the responsible minister, but the committee needs to work out if Scopa was misled when the CEO told the committee that he had been vetted. This article was republished from Moneyweb. Read the original here.
The Citizen
2 days ago
- The Citizen
Special leave for Road Accident Fund CEO as SIU investigates
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The Herald
2 days ago
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DA welcomes RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo's placement on special leave
The placement of Road Accident Fund CEO Collins Letsoalo on precautionary leave is a long-overdue but necessary step to ensure that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) can conduct its preliminary investigation without interference or influence, the DA said on Wednesday. The transport department said the decision was in the interest of good governance and a precautionary step to facilitate ongoing investigative processes. 'It does not imply any prejudgment or adverse finding against the CEO.' The DA said Letsoalo's temporary removal from office must facilitate full transparency and accountability, particularly in light of serious allegations concerning the RAF's governance failures, financial mismanagement and possible misconduct. Briefing the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) last month, the SIU said it had experienced a lack of co-operation from the RAF in its investigation into the affairs of the entity. 'There were instances where the SIU had to resort to opening a criminal case against a RAF executive for failure to adhere to a lawful subpoena issued by the SIU in terms of the SIU Act,' SIU head Any Mothibi said last month. The DA said the ministry of transport's support for the decision to place Letsoalo on leave must be followed by full co-operation with Scopa and law enforcement agencies. 'The precautionary suspension of the CEO is just the beginning. The DA will not rest until justice and good governance are restored at the RAF.' TimesLIVE
