The article in the Natal Mercury, Pretoria News and Beeld of 18 August has reference.

We would like to clarify the misconception that consultants are ripping off the National Lotteries Board.

Firstly, it must be stressed that the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) does not allow any part of the grants made to beneficiaries to be paid to consultants.  We encourage beneficiaries to make use of engineers, architects, project managers etc of their local municipality.  Wherever there are consultant fees included in the application, this amount is not considered in the adjudication process. In other words, the NLDTF does not pay consultant fees.

Secondly, wherever an applicant applies for funds for the upgrading of facilities or the purchase of any equipment, they are asked to provide the Distributing Agency with three written quotations.

The Distributing Agency for Sport and recreation strongly believes that wherever facilities are upgraded for the benefit of communities, there should be cooperation and assistance from the local municipality.  The Distributing Agency also calls for written confirmation from municipalities that the facilities will be maintained.

All funds generated from the National Lottery for good causes are for the benefit of the community and not the benefit of consultants.  

Finally, the fact the issue around consultant fees were raised with the Portfolio Committee on Sport and Recreation is proof of the commitment of the Distributing Agency not to allow consultants to be the beneficiaries of lottery funding.