(AsiaGameHub) –   Dr Karabo Mbele has been removed from his post as Chief Executive Officer of South Africa’s Gauteng Gambling Board, after a forensic inquiry uncovered financial misconduct and ‘serious’ breaches of governance rules.

On Monday, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, Gauteng’s MEC for Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development, announced Mbele’s dismissal, as well as the suspension of the regulator’s Chief Financial Officer Oscar Maripane.

The probe, compiled by an independent legal team, uncovered ‘serious breaches of governance and abuse of public resources’ within the Gauteng Gambling Board.

Mbele is alleged to have interfered in funding adjudication processes, approving funding before required governance procedures were finalized, authorizing payments without supporting documentation, and failing to meet compliance and oversight requirements.

Maripane, meanwhile, is accused of failures in financial governance, irregularities in procurement, non-compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, and breakdowns in internal controls and statutory reporting duties.

Maripane’s suspension will remain in effect until the outcome of an internal disciplinary process is finalized.

The investigation was launched after multiple whistleblower complaints were filed against the regulator after Ramokgopa assumed her role on 1 April.

Ramokgopa pledged to root out malpractice within public institutions, stating: “Corruption, maladministration and the abuse of public resources will not be tolerated under this administration, and no individual will be above accountability.”

Ramokgopa also confirmed that the process to appoint an administrator and rebuild governance structures at the Gauteng Gambling Board is already underway.

Political party claims it has been vindicated by Mbele’s dismissal

The political party Build One South Africa (BOSA) “welcomed” Ramokgopa’s decision, and has called for a full criminal investigation into the matter.

Last week, Ayanda Allie, BOSA’s Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL), filed separate criminal charges against Mbele over allegations of fraud, corruption, abuse of office and conflicts of interest.

“The current developments give further momentum to the criminal charges already laid and reinforce the need for a full criminal investigation into this matter,” BOSA said in a statement. “BOSA now calls on the South African Police Service and the Hawks to move swiftly and decisively to investigate the allegations and ensure that justice is served without fear, favour or delay.

“South Africans are tired of corruption allegations only being addressed through internal processes, while criminal accountability is delayed or avoided entirely. Those entrusted with public resources must be held fully accountable whenever wrongdoing is found.”

Gauteng province makes up just 1.5% of South Africa’s total land area, but is home to 26% of the country’s population.