CEO of SA’s Gauteng gambling regulator dismissed over alleged misconduct

Dr Karabo Mbele has been fired as the CEO of the Gauteng Gambling Board in South Africa after a forensic investigation revealed financial misconduct and ‘serious’ governance breaches.

On Monday, Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development Vuyiswa Ramokgopa announced the dismissal of Mbele, as well as the suspension of the regulator’s CFO Oscar Maripane.

The investigation, prepared by an independent legal team, revealed ‘serious breaches of governance and abuse of public resources’ within the Gauteng Gambling Board.

Mbele was alleged to have interfered with funding adjudication processes, approving funding before governance procedures had concluded and to have authorised payments without supporting documentation, alongside failures in compliance and oversight.

Maripane, meanwhile, was accused of failures in financial governance, procurement irregularities, non-compliance with the Public Finance Management Act and breakdowns in internal controls and statutory reporting obligations.

Maripane’s suspension is pending the outcome of an internal disciplinary process.

The investigation was initiated after numerous whistleblower complaints were made against the regulator since Ramokgopa took on her role on 1 April.

Ramokgopa vowed to fight against malpractice within public bodies, stating: “Corruption, maladministration and the abuse of public resources will not be tolerated under this administration, and no individual will be above reproach.”

Ramokgopa also revealed the process to appoint an administrator and rebuild governance at the Gauteng Gambling Board was under way.

Political party ‘vindicated’ by Mbele’s dismissal

The political party Build One South Africa (BOSA) “welcomed” Ramokgopa’s actions, calling for a full criminal investigation.

Last week, BOSA MPL (Member of the Provincial Legislature) Ayanda Allie filed seperate criminal charges against Mbele over allegations of fraud, corruption, abuse of office and conflicts of interest.

“The developments now give further impetus to the criminal charges already laid and strengthen the need for a full criminal investigation into the matter,” BOSA said in a statement. “BOSA now calls on the South African Police Service and the Hawks to move swiftly and decisively to investigate the allegations and ensure that justice is served without fear, favour or delay.

“South Africans are tired of corruption allegations being met with internal processes only, while criminal accountability is delayed or avoided altogether. Those entrusted with public resources must be held fully accountable where wrongdoing is found.”

The Gauteng province comprises just 1.5% of SA’s land area, but has 26% of the population.