Pretoria - The National Lotteries Board (NLB) says it will study the memorandum handed over by a groups of non-governmental organisations on Friday and respond to the issues raised.
About 200 protesters from several organisations marched to the Lotto's offices in Hatfield to hand over a memorandum which highlighted concerns about how the funds are allocated to beneficiaries and lack of transparency.
The NGOs, most of which are facing closure due to funds drying up, have been raising the alarm over the slow response by the board's distributing agencies, bribes to fast track applications, irregular grants, and conflict of interest in some board members.
Speaking to the media after receiving the memo, NLB chairperson Alfred Nevhutanda said they take seriously the allegations and that they will investigate them and take remedial action where needed.
Reacting to the slow pace with which the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) responds to organisations, Nevhutanda attributed it to the increase in the volume of applications, saying there were not enough funds to meet to the demands.
The chairman said the task of distributing funds to thousands of prospective applicants was complex and the board had taken the responsibility to ensure that it carried out its duties and mandate with integrity.
"Due to the large numbers of applications we receive, there will be some instances where there are administrative shortcomings. The board will continue to implement measures to reduce these incidences," he said, citing that they were trying to introduce online electronic applications.
He said the board had also embarked on a restructuring process and that it was trying to streamline the application process.
Applications have more than doubled from an average of 4 000 to over 8 000, and this has put a strain on the system and how it responds to the applications.
Nevhutanda said while the trust aims to help as many worthy organisations as possible, it was impossible to satisfy everyone.
The trust has a budget of R1.8 billion for the 2011/12 financial year.
Given the limited funds, Nevhutanda emphasised that no applicant has an automatic right to the NLDTF funding, even if they meet the requirements. All applications, he said, need to undergo the same process and those which are declined have a right to appeal the decision.
Since its inception in 2000, a total of R15.3 billion has been allocated to over 15 000 beneficiary organisations across the country.
Asked to comment on calls for a forensic audit of grants and lifestyle audits on board members, Nevhutanda said the NLB's books were already audited by the Auditor General and approved by Parliament and also available on the NLB website.
He called on the public and NGOs to report unethical conduct. - BuaNews
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