Following successful negotiations with Ithuba Holdings (Pty) Ltd, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies decided to issue the third National Lottery Licence to Ithuba and the parties have today concluded a Licence Agreement.
Gidani sought to challenge the Minister Davies’ decision made in November 2014 to select Ithuba as the preferred bidder and also sought to review and set aside the decision to award the lLicence to Ithuba.
While the High Court set aside the Minister Davies’ decision to issue the licence to Ithuba and the ensuing licence agreement, it refused to set aside the Minister’s decision to select Ithuba as the preferred bidder.
Minister Davies considered the judgment of the High Court and elected to negotiate with Ithuba as the preferred bidder on the terms of the Licence Agreement to operate the third National Lottery. In reconsidering his decision, Minister Davies sought to address the concerns raised by the Court relating to the 2014 licence agreement. Minister Davies is satisfied that Ithuba Holdings (Pty) Ltd meets the requirements set out in section 13 of the Lotteries Act, 1997 and is a suitable applicant to conduct the National Lottery.
Ithuba commenced operating the Lottery on 1 June 2015, when Gidani’s licence expired and, in the one month period in which the Court’s declaration of invalidity was suspended; Ithuba continued to operate the National Lottery with no interruption to the operations of the Lottery.
Minister Davies is confident that now that the process has been finalised, Ithuba will continue with its plans to operate and invigorate the National Lottery and ensure continued contributions to good causes.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
