By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has announced her intention to dissolve the board of SA Tourism by the end of the week following the R1 billion Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship debacle and poor corporate governance at the entity.
De Lille said in a statement on Wednesday she detailed a number of serious concerns in a letter to the board’s former chairperson earlier this month.
Among other things, she highlighted issues with the board’s conduct concerning the sponsorship matter and allegations on how the board had been functioning.
“My letter outlined a number of serious concerns, such as the conduct of the board in respect of the Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship matter, the composition of the board and whether the members have the necessary knowledge, experience or qualifications as required by section 13 of the Tourism Act; and certain serious allegations raised by the Acting CEO of SA Tourism regarding the lack of a proper functioning board.”
De Lille says she hasn’t received representations on why the board should not be dissolved.
“In my letter, I requested the SA Tourism Board Chairperson to respond to me in writing by 18 April 2023. I asked why the three matters raised in my letter do not constitute good cause for me to dissolve the board in terms of section 16 (3) of the Tourism Act. I have not received representations on why the board should not be dissolved.”
“I can, however confirm that between 7 and 13 April 2023, eight of the eleven Board Members, including the chairperson, have resigned. The remaining three members of the board cannot form a quorum and the board is therefore no longer functional.”
She’s expected to announce an interim board on Friday.
“I will also officially gazette the appointment of a team of three persons to manage the affairs of board until the appointment of a new Board. This appointment is to be made under Section 16 (3) (b) of the Tourism Act.”
The minister’s announcement comes weeks after the SA Tourism board scrapped the proposed three-year sponsorship deal to the tune of R900 million with Tottenham Hotspur amid widespread criticism.