Three years after the South African National Lottery Commission (NLC) allocated R65 million for the completion of various social projects, including drug rehabilitation and old-age homes, only one of the 13 financed projects has been completed. The CGV and disability center is the only facility that has opened its doors, while notable projects remain stalled due to rampant corruption and looting. The funds intended for construction have been misallocated or stolen, leading to significant delays and community unrest regarding the unfinished sites.

In various provinces, the repercussions of these stalled lottery projects are evident. For instance, an old-age home in the Free State has turned into makeshift student housing, while another in KwaZulu-Natal is being utilized as storage for companies involved in local development. Furthermore, an old-age facility in Mpumalanga is facing ongoing thefts, yet the NLC claims it lacks the resources to provide adequate security for these vulnerable properties, thereby exacerbating the situation. This misuse of resources has stirred public outcry, questioning the accountability of government and lottery officials.

The NLC has initiated a Community Infrastructure Reparations Process, which seeks to bring in a team of 'multidisciplinary engineering service providers' to review the future of these derelict projects. This development suggests an attempt at recovery and rehabilitation, although the trust in such measures remains low among affected communities. This continuing saga reflects systemic issues within the management of public funds and the pressing need for stricter oversight to avoid similar situations in the future.