De Lille denies claims of ‘protecting corruption’ in SA Tourism board

TOURISM Minister Patricia de Lille yesterday challenged her detractors for accusing her of protecting corruption in South African tourism, calling on them to provide the evidence to the Hawks.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

“I want to say if anybody has got evidence that I am protecting corruption, I will advise anybody to take that evidence to the Hawks within the police,” De Lille said.

She made the statement in response to the opening remarks by Tourism Portfolio Committee chairperson Ronaldo Nalumango when she appeared before the committee.

De Lille was invited to explain her decision to dissolve the South African Tourism board, to give an update on circumstances surrounding the suspension of the CEO, and to explain issues around the forensic investigation report that probed a R4.1 million contract, among others.

Also invited were members of the dissolved board as well as former board chairperson Makhosazana Khanyile and former deputy chairperson Lizelle Haskins.

Professor Gregory Davids, another former chairperson, and two members of the board did not attend due to other commitments. This came after De Lille dissolved the board and appointed an interim board amid the suspension of CEO Nombulelo Guliwe.