The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Former SA Tourism Board members directly accused her of ignoring warnings about CEO Nombulelo Guliwe, interfering in Auditor-General investigations, and deliberately delaying disciplinary action against a CEO implicated in wasting R4.1 million of public money.

These revelations confirm what South Africans already suspect: Patricia de Lille has chosen to protect a rogue CEO instead of protecting taxpayers.

Her decision to dissolve the Board, the very people who were implementing the Auditor-General’s recommendations, was a blatant abuse of power designed to shield her ally from accountability.

The DA calls on Minister de Lille to come clean. She must stop hiding behind empty procedural arguments and tell the country why she interfered, why she ignored the law by failing to appoint a Deputy Chairperson to the Board, and why she continues to protect an individual with such a damning track record.

South Africans deserve straight answers and not more spin from a Minister who looks increasingly complicit in a cover-up. If de Lille cannot provide a full and honest account of her actions, she is not fit to remain in office.

To ensure that the truth is exposed, the DA will also be submitting a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application for:

• The Ngubane forensic report into the CEO.
• The legal advice the Minister relied on to dissolve the Board.
• All communication between the Minister and the Board.
• Internal Board communication on disciplinary action against the CEO.
• All communication between the Minister and SA Tourism management.

The days of secrecy and evasion are over. Patricia de Lille must come clean, or she must go.

Issued by Haseena Ismail MP - DA Spokesperson on Tourism