Gauteng's Economic Development MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa has terminated the employment of Gauteng Gambling Board CEO Dr Karabo Mbele with immediate effect following a forensic investigation that revealed financial misconduct, procurement irregularities and governance failures.

Forensic report details institutional breakdown

The independent investigation, led by Advocate William Mokhare SC, was commissioned in 2025 by former MEC Lebogang Maile and completed in January. Ramokgopa told a media briefing on Monday that the findings exposed what she described as institutional collapse within the regulatory body. The report corroborated whistleblower allegations that had flooded Ramokgopa's office since she assumed the portfolio six weeks ago. Those complaints detailed misconduct and maladministration at the gambling regulator, with many sources requesting anonymity. According to Ramokgopa, the investigation uncovered breaches of the Public Finance Management Act and abuse of public resources. Mbele was directly implicated in multiple governance failures, including interference in funding adjudication, approving funding before governance procedures were completed, and authorising payments without supporting documentation.

CFO suspended pending disciplinary action

The board's chief financial officer, Oscar Maripane, has been suspended pending disciplinary proceedings. The findings against Maripane included failures in financial governance, procurement irregularities, non-compliance with the PFMA, and breakdowns in internal controls and statutory reporting obligations. Ramokgopa emphasised the dismissal was driven by the gravity of the forensic findings rather than political considerations. The status quo at the regulator could not continue given the nature of the report's conclusions, she said. The board currently lacks full membership after several directors resigned in December. Government will appoint an administrator while a new board is established. The regulator oversees gambling licences across Gauteng and collects gambling taxes that feed into provincial revenue.