The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Tuesday formally lodged a complaint with Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka against Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, for alleged abuse of power.

The DA says de Lille’s decision to dissolve the South African Tourism board was unlawful and it has requested a full investigation by the Public Protector to determine whether De Lille acted “improperly, unfairly, or unlawfully”.

“Minister De Lille must explain her actions or step aside. Public trust in our institutions cannot be sacrificed to protect individual interests,” said DA Spokesperson on Tourism Haseena Ismail.

Last month, De Lille dissolved the South African Tourism board, accusing it of allegedly irregularly convening a meeting in August to appoint a chairperson following the resignation of former chairperson Gregory Davids in July in the wake of placing CEO Nombulelo Guliwe under precautionary suspension.

Ismail argued that the board had acted within its legal mandate to suspend Guliwe over concerns of serious financial irregularities and alleged abuse of power.

“Instead of allowing due process to run, the Minister dissolved the board, initially citing a procedural issue that does not withstand scrutiny, and later providing an entirely different justification,” she pointed out.

“This shift in reasoning raises serious questions about fairness, transparency, and accountability in De Lille’s conduct,” she said.

She said former board members claimed in Parliament that De Lille had ignored warnings, interfered in Auditor-General investigations, and delayed action against Guliwe, who is implicated in wasting R4.1-million of public funds.

Ismail said by targeting the board, De Lille appears to have acted to protect Guliwe, rather than the public interest.

The party viewed this as a “clear abuse of power”.

“It undermines confidence in governance and shows disregard for the rules that safeguard accountability in public institutions,” Ismail stated.

She said South Africans deserve transparency from those entrusted with public office.

“Minister De Lille has persistently failed to live up to this: she has not given Parliament a full record of her decision, and she has not complied with the 30-day limit on the DA's PAIA application. We will continue to use all available legal avenues, including the Public Protector, to ensure that the truth comes to light and that those responsible are held accountable,” she said.