Minister defends SA Tourism Board dissolution: 'I'm not interfering, it's my duty to intervene' - Patricia de Lille

702's Bongani Bingwa chats to Tourism Minister, Patricia de Lille.

Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below:

"There's absolutely no crisis in the tourism sector."  

- Patricia de Lille, Tourism Minister

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has rejected claims of a crisis in South Africa’s tourism sector following her dissolution of the SA Tourism Board and the continued suspension of CEO Nombulelo Guliwe. 

ALSO READ:

• De Lille’s argument for dismissing SA Tourism Board is ‘ludicrous’ – SATSA CEO 
• How will the dissolution of the SA tourism board impact the sector? 
• Tourism Board axing risks damaging South Africa's global image - Hlumelo Xaba, governance expert

Critics have accused the minister of political interference, citing instability and concerns over governance.

De Lille has defended her decision, stating that she acted on documented concerns, including ignored SIU reports and unresolved allegations within the agency.

Responding to claims that the board was improperly disbanded and that no official meeting occurred on 1 August, De Lille points to documented board resolutions as proof that due process was followed. 

"In the first board that I dissolved, we saved the country R1,2 billion - but I was further vindicated by an SIU report that said action should be taken against those people because they are delinquent. In this particular case, it didn't just happen like... in the morning, I wake up, I am in a bad mood, and I then decide to dissolve the board. I actually have records.”

- Patricia de Lille, Tourism Minister

“I've got minutes, I've got recordings of where we were discussing these issues, where the first thing I expressed my concern with them about was a... SIU report that they received in April already, and in July, it was still not attended to. Also, the CEO wrote letters to them complaining about senior officials and allegations, and nothing was done about that..."

- Patricia de Lille, Tourism Minister

She also denies shielding the suspended CEO, who faces allegations of financial misconduct, and insists that the new interim board will determine the outcome of that matter.

De Lille maintains that her actions were based on legal advice and proper procedure.

"I am not interfering; it's my duty to intervene when I see things are not going right."

- Patricia de Lille, Tourism Minister

Scroll up to listen to the full conversation.