By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille has welcomed the decision by the Gauteng division of the High Court of South Africa to struck off the roll the application to reinstate the dissolved board of South African Tourism (SAT).
The case stems from an urgent application brought by the ousted board challenging De Lille’s decision to dissolve it in August 2025, a move the former members allege was procedurally flawed and based on “false pretenses.”
The board maintains that De Lille’s claim of a 1 August meeting, during which it allegedly took unlawful decisions, was fabricated to justify its dissolution and to protect suspended SAT CEO, Nombulelo Guliwe, from accountability.
De Lille, however, has defended her actions, saying the board overstepped its mandate by placing Guliwe on precautionary suspension without proper authority or procedure. She argued that the board had no legitimate quorum or chairperson to approve such a decision.
The outcome of the case was expected to have far-reaching implications for governance and oversight in tourism sector.
“I have been vindicated. I have always known that I was acting within the prescripts of the law and followed the law to the latter,” says De Lille.
The Minister has gazetted the process for nominations of eligible candidates to fulfill the functions of the South African Tourism board.
“I will then take it through the process of interviews and shortlisting. Where after I’ll take my recommendations to cabinet for consideration, “adds De Lille.
The nomination process will close on 5 December 2025 at 16:30.
Meanwhile, the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) reported this week that while the National Department of Tourism (NDT) received a clean audit for the 2024/25 financial year, SAT received a qualified opinion for the second consecutive year.
AGSA tourism portfolio business unit leader, Nompakamo Matanzima, told the Parliamentary portfolio committee on tourism on Monday that SAT’s audit was marred by material misstatements in cash management, marketing expenditure, and irregular spending of R24.2 million due to procurement non-compliance.
Matanzima attributed the persistent audit challenges to key vacancies—particularly the absence of a chief financial officer and chief audit executive—and weak internal controls.
“The audit outcomes remain stagnant. The department itself receives a clean audit consistently with the prior year and this is attributed to stability in leadership and ethical culture,” she said.