The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) has received a number of queries from journalists and parliamentary questions from members of opposition parties requesting information regarding operational information related to the National Lottery.
In our opinion, the questions are not of direct public interest and come at a time that the National Lotteries Board is preparing to release a Request for Proposals as the start of a process of awarding a new licence to operate the National Lottery. The department is therefore concerned that the information sought may be used by parties intending to participate in a future bidding process.
The department will carefully evaluate these requests for information and will not respond as a matter of course, in light of the previous experience when a licence was awarded and the National Lottery subsequently suspended for six months due to, ultimately unsuccessful, court challenges from rival bidders.
The Minister Dr Rob Davies has put in place mechanisms to promote a fair and transparent process in the awarding of the new licence. All relevant information required by potential bidders will become available to all the bidders, at the appropriate time. The information to be provided to the bidders would be in line with tender processes.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Departmental Spokesperson
Mobile: 079 492 1774
Tel: 012 394 1650
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti
