From an article by Eddie Botha about Mabutho Zwane and published on the New Age online web site:
Gambling & Betting Board (ECGBB) chief executive Mabutho Zwane is a survivor.
For three years the KwaZulu-Natal-born gambling boss’s appointment has been at the centre of a dispute within the board.
Zwane faced a disciplinary hearing over his live-in relationship with his then girlfriend, former education department official Nonkululeko Ngwane, to whom he is now married.
The board at the time felt that, in terms of the ECGBB Act, this relationship disqualified Zwane for the top job and that he had failed to disclose it.
It was also complicated by the fact that Ngwane later worked for a board client, the Vukani group, the largest operator of limited payout machines in South Africa.
Advocate Viwe Notshe SC, in a letter to former board chairperson Canca Keely said: “We are of the view that a successful inquiry can be run against the employee (Zwane).
“The charges against him are quite serious and may lead to his dismissal.”
But, commissioned by former chairperson Sipho Majombozi, advocate Vass Soni SC indicated that the ECGB Act never applied to his appointment.
Zwane was charged for his failure to disclose his relationship to Ngwane.
Zwane survived the controversy.
Under direction of Majombozi all the alleged charges against Zwane were dropped and Majombozi agreed that, apart from two months’ salary in compensation, the board would also pay Zwane’s R400000 legal bill.
Economic Affairs MEC Mcebisi Jonas ordered the board to resign following a forensic investigation by auditors Ernst & Young, which painted a bleak picture of the board’s financial and management operations under Majombozi.
But Majombozi’s name is missing as a new board member after his application to be re-appointed was dismissed by a selection panel.
“It does not matter to me who the new board will be. It will be a new start,” said Zwane.
He admitted there was room for improvement in the way the new board operated.
Jonas wants a comprehensive review of the fees structure – with the possibility of an improved alignment in fees being charged by the respective public entities reporting to his department.
“One of the difficulties – and one of my biggest regrets – is that last year we generated R80m in taxes, which disappeared in the provincial revenue.
“It’s not wrong but I would like to see that some of the funds are ring-fenced for specific projects,” said Jonas.
It is clear that although Zwane owed his job to the majority of the former board members, there would be no payback time.
He is obviously aware that his performance will be scrutinized by the public and the new board. He seems determined not to disappoint.
The board is likely to announce its new chairperson today.
Other names said to be on the board include Odwa Mtati (socio economic), Ncumisa Mayosi (legal), Yoliswa Makhasi (community), Pierre Voges (tourism), Zukile Nomafu (CA), Mzwandile Vena (economic development), Phumla Nqakula (safety and security) and Vuyo Tshangana (Treasury).
Eddie Botha
Editors Notes: The full Eastern Cape Gambling and Betting Board has since been confirmed and consists of; Chairperson: Advocate Ncumisa Mayosi, Zukile Nomafu, Pierre Voges, Deputy Chairperson: Odwa Mtati, Mzwandile Vena, Vuyo Tshangana, Ms Phumla Nqakula and Ms Yoliswa Makhasi.
