South Africa’s National Lotteries Commission has warned prospective suppliers about an individual who claims he can influence the awarding of NLC tenders in exchange for upfront payments. The Commission identified the individual as Steven Baloi and said he has allegedly approached bidders using the telephone number 076 106 1097.
According to the NLC, Baloi claims he can help suppliers secure contracts and has requested payments ranging from R3,000 to R8,000 in return for assurances. The Commission stressed that legitimate bidders are not required to make payments to individuals to obtain contracts.
It also said no person has the authority to guarantee that a particular supplier will receive an NLC tender. The warning is intended to prevent prospective suppliers from being misled by claims of influence over the Commission’s procurement decisions.
Alleged approaches are linked to a catering services tender
The reported activity is linked to tender RFQ/2026/008/009, which concerns the establishment of a panel of catering service providers for the NLC. This procurement process seeks suppliers capable of providing food, beverages and related catering services for meetings, conferences, workshops and other official events.
The NLC said some prospective bidders have allegedly been approached and asked to make upfront payments in exchange for promises that their companies would secure contracts. Those payments do not form part of the Commission’s official tender process.
Therefore, the NLC has advised suppliers not to treat private payment requests as legitimate procurement requirements. It also reiterated that tender outcomes cannot be guaranteed through payments to individuals claiming to have influence inside the organisation.
Suppliers are urged to preserve evidence of suspicious approaches
The Commission has asked suppliers who receive approaches from Baloi or the identified telephone number to retain all relevant evidence. This includes text messages, correspondence and other communications connected to the alleged money requests.
Suppliers have been encouraged to submit that information through the NLC’s official channels for reporting suspected fraud. Preserving communications could help the Commission investigate the alleged scheme and establish how prospective bidders were approached.
The NLC has highlighted evidence retention as an important step for suppliers who encounter suspicious tender-related requests.
NLC reiterates that procurement decisions cannot be bought
Furthermore, the Commission has repeated that its contracts cannot be purchased and that no individual can guarantee a supplier a successful tender outcome. Prospective bidders have been urged to reject demands for money made in exchange for promises of NLC business.
This warning follows the Commission’s response to reports that an individual has been seeking upfront payments with a promise to influence procurement decisions.
The NLC has issued a warning in response to a person claiming to have the power to influence tender processes. Its major priority is to make official procedures easily understandable for suppliers. This ensures they can recognise payment requests or guaranteed contract promises as fraudulent.
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