MEC Matibe destroys illegal Gambling machines

Limpopo MEC for Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism [LEDET] Tshitereke Matibe oversaw the disposal of over 373 illegal gambling machines in Ladanna, Polokwane on Wednesday.

This comes as illegal gambling machines continue to operate within Spaza Shops across the province. Over a thousand machines have been confiscated over the past 36 months.

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LEDET says they have noted with great concern that those who continue to operate illegal gambling machines within Spaza Shops happily welcome fines imposed by Magistrate Courts. This includes fines that might range from R500 to R1,500.

MEC Tshitereke Matibe has condemned illegal gambling operations as such robbing the province of creating job opportunities, community empowerment and thriving rural and township economies.

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“There are a lot of illegal activities even online. I think it’s one area that we need to move into,” said Matibe.

“We also have young people below the required age who are participating in that. They are not only participating in gambling but also in buying liquor online, which is also a very serious matter.

“We were discussing and deliberating about it in the national liquor and gambling forums. So we must look at those areas. We have the ones that are visible and we can see but online

The department says money made from such illegal gambling activities continues to finance drug cartels, human trafficking and Hostile Township and rural economic takeovers.