Professor Barney Pityana, the respected academic, theologian, and human rights advocate, has stepped down as chairperson of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), two years before his term was due to end. His departure, effective December 2025, was confirmed by Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau, who stressed that Pityana had not resigned but “asked to retire.”

The announcement, however, has not settled public concern. On the contrary, Pityana’s early exit has amplified scrutiny over the Commission, which remains dogged by corruption scandals, litigation, and allegations of politically connected beneficiaries siphoning funds intended for social upliftment.

When Pityana was appointed in 2020, his arrival was widely celebrated. He was brought in at a time when the NLC was mired in controversy, with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) uncovering cases of mismanagement, fraud, and misappropriation of lottery grants. His reputation as a principled leader, who had previously served as Vice-Chancellor of UNISA and as Chair of the South African Human Rights Commission, positioned him as the figure to restore credibility to an institution viewed as captured and compromised.

For several years, Pityana fronted efforts to tighten governance, improve transparency in grant allocations, and co-operate with investigations. Insiders say he pushed for stricter oversight mechanisms that would prevent politically connected individuals from manipulating the system for personal gain.

That is why his sudden decision to retire early has raised eyebrows. With litigation over the awarding of the lucrative national lottery license underway, and allegations of irregularities swirling, critics say the timing of his departure is too convenient to be dismissed as routine.

The most immediate controversy surrounds the awarding of the 2025 national lottery license to the Goldrush Consortium, operating under Sizekhaya Holdings. Opposition parties, particularly the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), have questioned the adjudication process, pointing to red flags in how the bid was handled.

According to the EFF, individuals tied to the winning bidder include prominent ANC-linked businessmen Moses Tembe and Sandile Zungu, as well as relatives of Deputy President Paul Mashatile. The party argues that these associations suggest the license award was less about merit and more about political patronage.

In its statement reacting to Pityana’s resignation, the EFF described his retirement as “premature” and suggested it was designed to avoid scrutiny. “Court proceedings are expected to compel him to testify under oath, a process that would expose the inner workings of a flawed and compromised procurement process,” the statement read. The party vowed to intensify its fight in Parliament and through the courts to ensure the lottery system does not remain “a conduit for corruption and elite enrichment.”

Minister Tau, however, attempted to downplay the significance of the announcement, insisting that Pityana had not resigned but merely “requested to retire” from his position by the end of the year. His tone, critics argue, reflected the government’s broader reluctance to engage directly with concerns over the lottery licensing process.

The EFF has accused Tau of arrogance and evasiveness, saying he has repeatedly ignored questions about irregularities in the awarding of the contract. Civil society organisations monitoring the NLC have similarly complained about a lack of transparency from the department.

Even beyond the license controversy, the NLC continues to carry the stigma of corruption. Over the years, investigations by the SIU have revealed millions of rand in grants being diverted from their intended beneficiaries to fund luxury properties, cars, and personal enrichment schemes.

While several arrests have been made and prosecutions are ongoing, the perception persists that the Commission remains vulnerable to capture. Analysts note that the lottery—intended as a tool for national development—has too often become a “piggy bank” for elites.

Social media reaction to Pityana’s retirement reflected that sentiment. Radio host Bongani Bingwa wrote on X: “As the new lottery operator is announced, why is the NLC chair leaving? Following a Herculean effort to clean up how the funds are dispersed to those who most urgently need them, Prof Barney Pityana is exiting. Why? What does he know that we don’t?”

Another user put it more bluntly: “Barney Pityana got tired of being associated with a corrupt entity. The NLC is a vehicle for plunder.”

Pityana himself has not given detailed reasons for his decision, beyond citing a wish to retire. But his exit comes at a pivotal moment. With litigation over the lottery license moving forward, there is a strong likelihood that his testimony will be sought in court, whether or not he remains in office.

The episode highlights the deep mistrust that continues to shadow the NLC. Despite years of investigations and reforms, allegations of manipulation, cronyism, and elite enrichment persist. For many South Africans, the departure of yet another leader—one who was appointed to restore integrity—only reinforces doubts about whether the lottery system can ever be cleaned up.

What happens next will be closely watched. Parliament will come under increasing pressure to hold the department accountable. Civil society groups are expected to push for more transparency, while opposition parties will continue leveraging the courts to challenge outcomes they view as tainted.

For now, Pityana leaves behind a mixed legacy: a principled reformer who sought to bring integrity but who departs at a time when the system he was tasked with fixing still appears deeply compromised. His retirement may mark the end of an era for the NLC—but it also signals that the fight over the future of South Africa’s lottery system is far from over.