Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Rodgers Monama presided over the crushing of illegal gambling machines in partnership with the Limpopo Gambling Board (LGB) and SAPS at Bosveld Scrap Metals in Ladanna, Polokwane.
The Limpopo Gambling Board, together with the South African Police Service, have over the past five months, conducted law enforcement raids across the Province which resulted in the confiscation of illegal gambling machines which have been crushed on Friday.
Monama said these machines were confiscated from spaza shops owned by foreign nationals throughout the province.
The MEC said money accrued from this illegal gambling were not banked in any of the provincial banking institutions, but used to fund criminal activities such as illegal cigarettes, illegal mining, drugs, human trafficking and prostitution.
“We are a department serious about fighting illegal gambling because these machines are used for illegal gambling activities, and the money generated is not accounted for through our provincial financial platforms. The money is instead used to fund other criminal activities such as illegal cigarettes, illegal mining, and human trafficking,” said Monama.
Sekhukhune and Mopani Districts are leading as the current findings indicate that the highest percentages of illegal gambling machines were confiscated within the two districts.
From the raids, suspects were arrested, and all accused were issued with a written warning to appear before court.
Limpopo Gambling Board’s Serobi Maja has urged members of the public said to inform them about the illegal machines.
“This is why we pay informers a fee to inform us about these machines. We’re encouraging community members to help us because illegal gambling is escalating in the province,” he said.
The board said if dealers are investigated, arrested and sentenced, they should be classified as money launderers.