By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
State owned agency SA Tourism (SAT) is facing serious corruption allegations relating to tenders linked to the hosting of flagship trade events.
This follows an article published by City Press on Sunday, 6 July 2025, under the headline “SA Tourism tender irregularities and attempted cover-up exposed in court”.
Fullview understands that the agency awarded a R100 million rand tender to a company that failed to show proof of experience, and which provided false and misleading information in its bid.
After Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille announced the dates for the Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba next year, allegations surfaced that SA Tourism had bent the rules and, awarded an inexperienced company, Pomme Express, the R100 million tender for both events.
As a result the matter is before court.
In a statement, the South African Tourism (SAT) denied the allegations.
“SA Tourism has “denied the existence of reports” in court papers. As part of Rule 53 (1) of the Uniform Rules, SA Tourism filed a court record which included the report by Abacus, as well as queries by Chapu. The assertion that SA Tourism “deposed an affidavit denying the reports” is false.
“No such affidavit has been filed by SA Tourism in the review court proceedings. To date, SA Tourism has in terms of the provisions of Rule 53(1) of the Uniform Rules, filed comprehensive documents of the record of its decision to cancel the tenders. SA Tourism has not filed any affidavit in the review court proceedings. Therefore, the assertion in the article is fundamentally incorrect and misleading, read the statement.
It further emphasised that the countries tourism is commissioned by two independent firms who conduct a probity and forensic review of all tender processes.
However it has been reported that officials involved in tender irregularities were removed from procurement committees, but sources claim no disciplinary hearings have occurred.
De Lille’s office disputed claims of a R100 million irregular tender, despite SA Tourism spending R232 million on the event.
She said, she takes these allegations extremely seriously. Tourism is a vital part of our economy and we must uphold the highest standards of ethical governance and public accountability.
De Lille added that she has been briefied by South African Tourism on the matter and the facts are as follows:
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No tender was awarded
Despite continued assertions in the media, no tender to the value of R100 million was awarded. -
Independent review commissioned
South African Tourism commissioned two independent firms (Chapu Chartered Accountants and Abacus Financial Crime Advisory) to conduct a probity and forensic review of the tender process. Their findings were received, reviewed, and informed internal consequence management actions. I have been informed by South African Tourism that the cost of both audits were less than R1 million. -
Disciplinary measures undertaken
Officials implicated in procedural violations were removed from procurement committees as part of an internal disciplinary process initiated in 2024. Disciplinary processes are underway. -
On allegations of denial of reports
Media claims that South African Tourism denied the existence of the reports are misleading. At no point were the reports denied; rather the matter is under legal processes as the completeness and admissibility of certain findings were contested. -
Minister not briefed timeously
It is regrettable that I was not briefed on the media inquiry from City Press at the time it was received. I have since requested a further briefing from the South African Tourism Board and expect full cooperation in ensuring transparency going forward.
Previously the Tourism agency was involved in a controversial deal worth R1 billion for sponsorship partnership between South Africa and English football side Tottenham Hotspur, which was later declared “unlawful and invalid” and after it was found the deal violated state agency SA Tourism’s supply-chain management processes.