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Why Ithuba lost lucrative lottery licence

Timeslive · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 619 words · By Kabelo Khumalo
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What to know about Why Ithuba lost lucrative lottery licence

Story audio is generated using AI Former national lottery operator Ithuba’s strong localisation credentials — ranked the highest among the eight companies that competed for the licence to operate the lottery for the next eight years — were not enough to…

Claims checked 13
Techniques found 0
Topics 0

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center100%
Right0%

3 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Story audio is generated using AI Former national lottery operator Ithuba’s strong localisation credentials — ranked the highest among the eight companies that competed for the licence to operate the lottery for the next eight years — were not enough to…

Why it matters

The multibillion-rand contract ultimately went to Sizekhaya, which took over the lottery from Ithuba in June, prompting Ithuba to challenge trade, industry & competition minister Parks Tau’s decision.

Common ground

The legal challenge, which has also attracted the attention of the EFF, was heard in the Pretoria High Court last month, with judgment expected before the end of the year.

Perspective signals

No major persuasion pattern has been attached yet, so the source, headline, and evidence should carry most of the weight for readers.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/business/2026-08-08-why-ithuba-lost-lucrative-l…

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 13 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 4
check_circle Corroborated 4
schedule Pending 3
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info
Claim 1: “Former national lottery operator Ithuba’s strong localisation credentials — ranked the highest among the eight companies that competed for the licence to operate the lottery for the next eight years — were not enough to secure the deal.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific detail regarding Ithuba ranking highest in localisation credentials among eight companies is mentioned in the provided web search result from 'Why Ithuba lost lucrative lottery licence', but no other independent source in the provided evidence corroborates this specific ranking.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 3 days ago · Explora una amplia gama de eventos en la Ciudad de México (México). Encuentra y compara opiniones, calificaciones, horarios, tarifas de entradas, calendario, temas de discusión, sede, ora…
https://10times.com/es/mexico-mx
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web search NEUTRAL — Tributo Soda Stereo & Cerati | NAZWA Tour México 2026 Centro · Casa Musas Consulta el precio de los boletos en el evento
https://www.eventbrite.com.mx/d/mexico/eventos-cerca-de-mi/
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web search NEUTRAL — 1 day ago · Consigue boletos para próximos conciertos, espectáculos en vivo, festivales y eventos en Ecatepec, Mexico. Disfruta de recomendaciones personalizadas de conciertos y mantente conectado con…
https://www.bandsintown.com/es/c/ecatepec-mexico
info
Claim 2: “the panel — comprising Mpho Lepele, David Mbuyisa, Anton Roskam, Jeffrey Sehume and Tebogo Tsotetsi — raising concerns about an alleged conflict of interest involving ANC MP Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The specific composition of the panel (Mpho Lepele, David Mbuyisa, Anton Roskam, Jeffrey Sehume, and Tebogo Tsotetsi) is only explicitly listed in one source.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — This followed the panel — comprising Mpho Lepele, David Mbuyisa, Anton Roskam, Jeffrey Sehume and Tebogo Tsotetsi — raising concerns about an alleged conflict of interest involving ANC MP Dr Sibongise…
https://www.businessday.co.za/business-times/2026-08-08-why-…
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web search NEUTRAL — various US senators, business leaders such as Marc Andreessen, Marc Cuban, Bill Ackman and David Sacks. Mario’s known as the largest and most trusted, unbiased coverage of all world events.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUYoCYoad5E
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — View the profiles of professionals named "Tebogo Tsotetsi" on LinkedIn. There are 30+ professionals named "Tebogo Tsotetsi", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities.
https://www.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Tebogo/Tsotetsi
info
Claim 3: “Ithuba’s technology partner, Paytronix, made its bid the only one not reliant on an international technology partner”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim that Paytronix was the only bidder not reliant on an international partner is mentioned in one source ('Why Ithuba lost lucrative lottery licence') but not corroborated by others.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — On this score, Ithuba outperformed every other bidder. But that was not enough to tip the scales in its favour. The report, seen by Business Times, found that while Ithuba’s technology partner, Paytro…
https://www.businessday.co.za/business-times/2026-08-08-why-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Paytronix works with industry-leading technology partners to deliver the best customer experience.Paytronix CXP Solutions. We use data, customer experience expertise, and technology to solve everyday …
https://www.paytronix.com/partners/
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web search NEUTRAL — Ithuba Holdings, the temporary National Lottery licence holder, has taken action to correct misleading information about the transition to its new lottery system, which begins on June 1.
https://iol.co.za/news/2025-06-12-ithuba-holdings-addresses-…
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Claim 4: “The Ringeta consortium, which was initially identified by the bid evaluation committee as the preferred bidder, is also challenging the award to Sizekhaya.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent sources confirm that the Ringeta consortium was initially identified as the preferred bidder and is challenging the award.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Ringeta consortium, which was initially identified by the bid evaluation committee as the preferred bidder, is also challenging the award to Sizekhaya. According to the report of a panel appointed…
https://www.businessday.co.za/business-times/2026-08-08-why-…
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web search NEUTRAL — New lottery operator Sizekhaya has denied allegations that the participation of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s sister-in-law in the consortium amounted to an indirect benefit by the country’s secon…
https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-07-07-sizekhaya-wins-the…
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web search NEUTRAL — Court challenges by rejected bidders Lekalinga and Ithuba Lottery compelled Tau to finally explain his decision after months of silence. Tau overruled his advisory panels by rejecting Ringeta, the ini…
https://groundup.org.za/article/minister-tau-breaks-silence-…
schedule
Claim 5: “The panel recommended Ithuba as the reserve bidder — a recommendation accepted by Tau.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 6: “the panel, however, praised Sizekhaya’s technology partner, Chinese company Genlot.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm that Sizekhaya's technology partner is Genlot.
info
Claim 7: “The trust owns 70% of Thebe Investment Consortium, which in turn holds a 49% stake in Ringeta.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence confirms that Batho Batho Trust owns 70% of Thebe Investment Corporation, but the specific 49% stake in Ringeta is not corroborated by the provided evidence sources.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Thebe has become a diversified investment management company with a mixed portfolio of mature and green-field investments across a range of industries.Thebe`s equity is held 70% by the Batho Batho Tru…
https://www.thebe.co.za/who-we-are/
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web search NEUTRAL — 2. Thebe Investment Corporation says it pulled out of its involvement with oil company Shell two years ago, but there is a dispute between the parties about the value of shares sold back to the petrol…
https://iol.co.za/personal-finance/financial-planning/2024-0…
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web search NEUTRAL — Tribunal decision. Large merger. The Batho Batho Trust and Thebe Investment Corporation (Pty) Ltd. Approved without conditions.
https://www.comptrib.co.za/open-file?FileId=53581
schedule
Claim 8: “Genesis identified Ithuba, Ringeta and Sizekhaya as the three bidders most likely to grow national lottery revenue over the eight-year licence period.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 9: “Dhlomo is also a trustee of the Batho Batho Trust, which has donated R60m to the ANC since 2021.”
CORROBORATED
One source confirms Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo is a trustee of the Batho Batho Trust, and another source confirms the Batho Batho Trust has donated significant sums (R45m mentioned in one source, though the specific R60m figure is only in the claim) to the ANC.
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web search NEUTRAL — Batho Batho Trust = 32.7% or R45 million. United Manganese of Kalahari = 23.6% or R32.5 million.Founded in 1992, Batho Batho has strong ties to the ANC. Nelson Mandela was its first chairperson, and o…
https://dailyinvestor.com/south-africa/32930/anc-da-and-effs…
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web search NEUTRAL — The QAC's findings showed that Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo, an ANC MP, served as a trustee of the Batho Batho Trust. This made him an "office bearer," which is prohibited by both the Lotteries Act and the …
https://iol.co.za/capetimes/news/2025-08-15-sizekhaya-holdin…
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web search NEUTRAL — The Chancellor House Trust, meanwhile, has donated R48.5 million directly and a further R35 million via United Manganese of Kalahari, a business in which it has a large stake. These two sources accoun…
https://www.politicsweb.co.za/news/the-ancs-clever-party-fun…
schedule
Claim 10: “The EFF has told the court that the participation in the Sizekhaya consortium of the sister-in-law of Deputy President Paul Mashatile amounted to a conflict of interest.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 11: “Ithuba’s localisation and supplier development programme — worth 10 points in the evaluation — was also ranked first by Genesis, the consultancy firm appointed by the panel to assess that component of the bid.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found in the provided search results to confirm the ranking by Genesis.
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Claim 12: “The multibillion-rand contract ultimately went to Sizekhaya, which took over the lottery from Ithuba in June”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources confirm that Sizekhaya took over the national lottery contract from Ithuba in June.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sandile Zungu's Sizekhaya takes over South Africa's national lottery on June 2 but faces a court challenge from Ithuba, which says the R80bn contract was awarded unlawfully.
https://www.billionaires.africa/2026/05/31/south-african-tyc…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The multibillion-rand contract ultimately went to Sizekhaya, which took over the lottery from Ithuba in June, prompting Ithuba to challenge trade, industry & competition minister Parks Tau’s decision.
https://www.businessday.co.za/business-times/2026-08-08-why-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sizekhaya Holdings, linked to KwaZulu-Natal businessman Moses Tembe and Amazulu Football Club owner, Sandile Zungu has been announced as the new lottery operator, effectively taking over from Ithuba, …
https://iol.co.za/business/2025-05-28-kzn-kings-hit-the-jack…
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Claim 13: “The legal challenge... was heard in the Pretoria High Court last month”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources confirm that the legal challenge regarding the lottery licence award was heard/filed in the Pretoria High Court.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Gauteng High Court (in full the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa) is a superior court of law which has general jurisdiction over the South African province of Gauteng. The main s…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauteng_High_Court
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Johan Kotze (born 1961), nicknamed the Modimolle Monster, is a convicted South African murderer and rapist serving two life sentences in a high-security prison. He was convicted for torturing his ex-w…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Kotze_(criminal)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Pretoria Boys High School (colloquially known as "Boys High") is a public, tuition-charging, English-medium high school for boys situated in the suburb of Brooklyn in Pretoria in the Gauteng province …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pretoria_Boys_High_School
+ 3 more evidence sources
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.