Sikisi pocketed over R1.3 million from FSGLTA board meetings

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – Developments surrounding the Free State Gambling, Liquor and Tourism Authority (FSGLTA) continue to paint a glaring dark picture.

This follows an inquiry by Step Up SA News to the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) regarding a potential conflict of interest involving Mpho Sikisi, who has been receiving payments from FSGLTA while employed by the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality (MMM).

“FSGLTA and Mangaung Metro best suited to confirm” – Auditor-General’s office on Sikisi’s possible breaches

AGSA confirmed that Sikisi serves as a board member of the entity while also working for the Mangaung-based metro. The office then referred this publication to both FSGLTA and MMM for further comment.

”We can confirm that Ms Mpho Sikisi is a non-executive board member of the FSGLTA. It is also correct that she works for the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. The FSGLTA and Mangaung Metro will be best suited to confirm their declaration processes to ensure that there are no employment breaches or conflicts in this arrangement,” said Africa Boso, spokesperson for AGSA.

However, neither institution could provide direct answers to the questions posed, instead indicating that verification and investigation processes had been initiated. We shall wait.

This publication specifically asked FSGLTA spokesperson Tshediso Lerumo how much Sikisi had been paid since her appointment to the board, but he could not provide the information.

STEP UP SA NEWS can confirm that Sikisi has thus far received just over R1.3 million from FSGLTA in her capacity as a board member.

According to Public Service Regulations, public servants may serve on boards provided they obtain the necessary permission and that such participation is voluntary and unpaid.

Break down of how much Sikisi pocketed since 2021:

• 2021 =R12 394
• ⁠2022 = R 349 970
• ⁠2023 = R 276 133
• ⁠2024 = R 250 929
• ⁠2025 = R 414 196
• ⁠TOTAL = R 1 303 622

We are currently consolidating how much each member of FSGLTA board made since 2021.

These developments support long-standing concerns raised by NEHAWU, which has previously argued that board meetings are increasingly being used as lucrative opportunities rather than governance oversight platforms.

“Four board members received almost R360 000 each in December” – NEHAWU calls for disbandment of FSGLTA board

In December alone, the FSGLTA board held 18 meetings, raising questions about the necessity and frequency of these engagements.

Beyond meeting retainers, board members are also attending events such as the Maletsunyane Braai Festival, Tourism Indaba, and Meetings Africa, while employees responsible for operational work are often left behind.

Attendance at these events comes at a significant cost to the entity, as board members claim for all days attended, with their accommodation and flights fully covered by FSGLTA.

Tshediso Lerumo, spokesperson for FSGLTA said they were investigating as they take matter seriously, he said on the 27 February 2026.

To date, there has not been a word but we will ask DPCI if they could investigate possible fraud including those who processed these payments to Sikisi.

Employees even downed tools because of poor board decisions.

FSGLTA staff down tools over governance collapse and corruption amidst Hawks probe

This is a developing story.

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