De Lille at loggerheads with SA Tourism Board over suspension of CEO Nombulelo Guliwe

THE Board of South African Tourism (SA Tourism) has placed CEO Nombulelo Guliwe on precautionary suspension effective immediately, following serious allegations of misconduct.

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

However, the Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille's office has declared the board's decision null and void since it no longer has a chairperson nor a deputy chairperson.

SA Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination.

The action taken by the nine-member Board underscores the gravity of the situation as they embark on a thorough investigation into the claims against Guliwe.

Guliwe, a qualified Chartered Accountant, was appointed to the CEO position for a five-year period in February 2024 following a comprehensive recruitment process.

In nearly 10 years with the organisation, Guliwe has served in various leadership roles throughout her career including chief financial officer at SA Tourism since August 2019.

In a brief statement in response to this suspension, the department said De Lille has noted the decision by the board and said it was "unlawful".