Minister Tau says Sizekhaya had best bid

Lottery licence award under legal review

- MASHUDU SADIKE

THE Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, has defended the decision to award the highly anticipated fourth national lottery licence to Sizekhaya Holdings.

Tau was legally obligated to disclose his reasons for selecting the company in an affidavit, in response to two court challenges requesting a review of the award.

The awarding of the contract to Sizekhaya Holdings has been met with court challenges from losing bidders, including Lekalinga and Ithuba Lottery.

Tau has therefore disclosed his reasons for awarding the contract to Sizekhaya citing the consortium's well-balanced bid, impressive technology partners, and high projected revenue as the reasons for its selection.

He also commended Sizekhaya's plans to rejuvenate the suite of current lottery games and its broader marketing plans and spend.

Tau's affidavit, filed in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, also reveals that Sizekhaya Holdings “pipped the others to the post” due to its impressive bid.

“The bids by Giya Games, Lekalinga, and Umbelelo were ranked the lowest, while those by Bosela, Ithuba Lottery, Ringeta, Sizekhaya, and Wina Njalo were neck and neck,’ Tau wrote in the affidavit.

He highlighted Sizekhaya’s “strong technology partners” and “high revenue projections” as key factors influencing the decision.