The gambling regulator in South Africa’s Gauteng province has been thrown into crisis after a forensic investigation found serious financial misconduct and governance failures. Dr Karabo Mbele has been fired as CEO of the Gauteng Gambling Board following findings of financial misconduct and “serious” breaches of governance.

Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development Vuyiswa Ramokgopa announced Mbele’s dismissal and the suspension of the regulator’s CFO, Oscar Maripane. The investigation, prepared by an independent legal team, concluded there were “serious breaches of governance and abuse of public resources” within the board.

Mbele was accused of interfering with funding adjudication processes, including approving funding before governance procedures were completed, as well as authorizing payments without supporting documentation. The report also cited failures in compliance and oversight. Maripane, meanwhile, was accused of failures in financial governance, procurement irregularities, non-compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, and breakdowns in internal controls and statutory reporting obligations.

His suspension is pending the outcome of an internal disciplinary process. The investigation was triggered by numerous whistleblower complaints made against the regulator since Ramokgopa took office on 1 April. Ramokgopa said she would act decisively against malpractice in public bodies, adding that corruption, maladministration, and the abuse of public resources would not be tolerated.

She also said the process to appoint an administrator and rebuild governance at the Gauteng Gambling Board is already underway. Build One South Africa (BOSA), a political party that had previously alleged wrongdoing, welcomed Mbele’s dismissal and called for a full criminal investigation.

BOSA said it had already laid criminal charges against Mbele through its MPL, Ayanda Allie, last week, alleging fraud, corruption, abuse of office, and conflicts of interest. The party urged the South African Police Service and the Hawks to investigate the allegations and ensure criminal accountability. Gauteng accounts for about 1.5% of South Africa’s land area but is home to roughly 26% of the country’s population.