Happy tourism month; and updates on the Hotspurs debacle

ON THE 19th of April 2023, I decided to dissolve the South African Tourism Board during the Tottenham Hotspurs debacle, because of the irregular expenditure, saving the country R1 billion.

- PATRICIA DE LILLE

An SIU investigation into the conduct of the Board recommended that the Tottenham Board members be declared delinquent directors. I have now written to the President to request a proclamation to pursue the recovery of funds and prosecutions flowing from the findings of the SIU.

The Tottenham SIU report further recommends consequence management against two people still employed by South African Tourism. They have subsequently been suspended. I then appointed three people in the interim to handle the affairs of South African Tourism until a full-time board is appointed.

In February 2024, I appointed a new board being chaired by Ms Makhosazana Khanyile and deputy chair Adv. Lizelle Dominique Jordaan. I subsequently removed the chair and the deputy following excessive meetings they held. Within 6 months, R900 000 of the R1.44million budgeted for board meetings was used up. They were removed from their positions; I did not fire them, nor did I dissolve the board.

The pair resigned and resolved to challenge my decision in court; therefore, the matter is sub judice. I've attached my media statement issued on 10 September 2024. I had asked that the frequency of these meetings be investigated, including alleged mismanagement by the board. This follows the resignation of the CFO, who accused the board members of interference and overreach.

The CFO resigned in August 2024, and even though the Auditor General has flagged the appointment of the CFO as critical, to date, South African Tourism still doesn’t have a permanent CFO. This vacancy was flagged in my meeting with the Auditor General in April.

I then wrote to the board on the 13th of June, reminding the board of the AG’s findings and the guidance to ensure the critical appointments at South African Tourism, including the CFO and Head of Internal Audit.