Gauteng Gambling Board CEO fired, CFO suspended following probe

Gauteng Gambling Board CEO Karabo Mbele has been fired with immediate effect.

Fani Mahuntsi/Gallo Images

Gauteng Gambling Board CEO Karabo Mbele was fired after serious governance failures and gross misconduct were flagged in an independent forensic report.CFO Oscar Maripane was suspended pending disciplinary action.The allegations include irregular allocation of R73 million in funds,conflicts of interest,and improper disbursement of R23 million,prompting legal action by Build One SA’s Ayanda Allie.Gauteng Gambling Board CEO Karabo Mbele has been fired with immediate effect after serious governance failures and gross misconduct were flagged in an independent forensic report.

Economic Development MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa announced the news at a press briefing on Monday.

The report was prepared by an independent legal team led by advocate William Mokhare,SC,and commissioned by former Finance MEC Lebogang Maile.

The gambling board’s chief financial officer,Oscar Maripane,was also implicated in the report. He was suspended with immediate effect,pending the finalisation of an internal disciplinary process.

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Ramokgopa said the findings were deeply concerning and corroborated many whistleblower reports.

Ramokgopa said:

It is deeply concerning,therefore,that since assuming office six weeks ago,I have been inundated with whistleblower reports,many of whom requested to remain anonymous,citing various instances of misconduct,malfeasance and maladministration at the gambling board.

She said the report revealed allegations of procurement irregularities,financial misconduct,breaches of the Public Finance Management Act,failures in oversight,and the abuse of public resources within an institution entrusted with significant responsibilities.

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“It also makes clear recommendations with regard to remedial actions and consequence management measures to be pursued. Given the gross nature of the findings,and after careful consideration of the recommendations contained in the report,it has become clear to me that the status quo at the Gauteng Gambling Board cannot continue,” Ramokgopa said.

She added that the report directly implicated Mbele in serious governance failures and gross misconduct,including alleged interference in funding adjudication processes,approval of funding before governance procedures were concluded,authorisation of payments without supporting documentation,and failures in compliance and oversight obligations.

“The findings also point to broader institutional decay that,if left unchecked,would continue to erode public trust and compromise the integrity of the entity.”

This was in connection with the alleged irregular allocation of approximately R73 million in Social Development Fund (SDF) and Corporate Social Investment (CSI) funding before due evaluation,adjudication,and board approval processes were completed.

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Mbele was also accused of having a conflict of interest with recruitment agencies linked to her,including CB Recruitment and KSM Human Capital Solutions,which reportedly received more than R1.5 million in payments despite procurement irregularities and governance breaches.

Other allegations levelled against her included the alleged improper disbursement of R23 million in Social and Economic Development (SED) funding in April 2025,contrary to board instructions and without following the required governance and approval processes.

Build One South Africa (BOSA) MPL Ayanda Allie opened a case against Mbele last week.

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BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons said the party was vindicated by Ramokgopa’s decision to fire Mbele.

“This decision vindicates the actions taken by BOSA MPL Ayanda Allie and confirms that the serious allegations raised by the party warranted urgent intervention and accountability.

“We thank the whistleblowers who came forward with information and documentation that helped expose the alleged wrongdoing and made this action necessary. Their courage in speaking out in the public interest must be commended and protected,” Solomons added.