Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, announced the decision during a media briefing in Johannesburg, signalling a major shake-up at one of South Africa’s key provincial gambling regulators.
The dismissal stems from an independent forensic probe commissioned in 2025 under former MEC Lebogang Maile and led by legal expert William Mokhare. Completed in January 2026, the investigation reportedly validated multiple whistleblower allegations that surfaced after Ramokgopa took office in April.
According to the MEC, the report uncovered alleged interference in funding adjudication processes, approval of grants before governance procedures were finalised, authorisation of payments without proper supporting documentation, and failures to meet oversight obligations under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
The developments are expected to intensify scrutiny around governance and accountability within South Africa’s gambling sector, particularly as regulators across the region face growing pressure to strengthen transparency and institutional controls.
At the time of reporting, the Gauteng Gambling Board had not issued an official public response to Dr. Mbele’s dismissal.
