The way proceeds from the Lotto are being distributed leaves much to be desired, Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya said on Tuesday.
”If necessary, we have to campaign to change the law,” he said at the launch of Social Development Month in Pretoria. Of particular concern was what Skweyiya described as a lack of transparency in the allocation of Lotto money for deserving causes.
”Why can’t they just publish how much they give to whom and when, and what criteria they are using for that? That is my problem,” the minister said.
”The way in which this money is distributed leaves much to be desired.”
Lottery operator Uthingo last week came under renewed fire over the channeling of money meant for welfare purposes after announcing it intended introducing a daily lottery draw. The new game is to come into operation in November, expanding the current two draws a week. According to a recent newspaper report, only three cents of every rand spent on Lotto tickets have been paid to worthy causes, with no funds allocated at all in the 2000/01 cycle.
Skweyiya’s office last week said the minister intended raising his concerns over the planned introduction of a daily lottery draw with Parliament and the Cabinet. In apparent reference on Tuesday to a recent donation from lottery proceeds to the Blue Bulls rugby union, Skweyiya said the choice of recipients was questionable in view of the widespread poverty in the country.
”I have raised the issue of giving this money to such high-flying and very rich clubs. I live in Pretoria and like them on the field, but do they really deserve it?” Donations should instead be made to the numerous institutions in Pretoria that looked after children and to hospices caring for people with HIV/Aids.
”Why not give to those children?” Skweyiya asked. The issue was affected society as a whole. ”That is public money. We will definitely look at this (changing the law governing the Lotto),” the minister said. – Sapa