NorthWest Gambling Board Remains Suspended Pending MEC’s Appeal

The North West Gambling Board remains suspended pending an appeal by the Province’s MEC following a recent judgement against her in the Mahikeng High Court. In late February, the˜Judge in the matter ruled that North West Economic Development MEC Keneetswe Mosenogi improperly exercised her power when she ÿred ÿve gambling board members.

JUDGE SAMKELO Gura threw out a forensic report upon which the MEC based her decision to remove the board.

Board members approached the court on July 30 asking it to review and declare unconstitutional a decision by the provincial finance department to appoint the forensic firm in March 2019 and set aside the findings.

The North West economic development ME Keneetswe Mosenogi relied on the report’s findings about misconduct and irregular expenditure to remove five members from the board.

Fired board members also succeeded in stopping the MEC appointing their replacements, saying the Gobodo report was factually incorrect and the findings of misconduct erroneous.

“Gobodo relied on outdated and irrelevant policy documents in determining whether the applicants lodged irregular claims,” they said in their court papers.

“Gobodo’s failure to consult with and seek the input of members of the board resulted in the erroneous allegations and considerations of irrelevant and inapplicable documents by Gobodo.”

The court found that various key individuals who could have been interviewed during the investigation were not. Some individuals against whom findings were made were not provided with an opportunity to respond.

Some allegations in the report do not relate to the current events but historical events which occurred during the term of the previous board.

In dismissing the board members, said Gura, Mosenogi acted irrationally because she relied on a flawed report.

The judge criticised the MEC for firing the five when she knew they had approached the court asking it to set aside the report. He described it as “an improper exercise of public power”. (source: www.timelive.co.za)