Parliament, Wednesday, 3 September 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Tourism received a briefing yesterday from the Minister of Tourism, Ms Patricia de Lille, on the reasons for the resignation of the Chairperson of the South African Tourism (SAT) Board, and the Minister’s reasons for dissolving the SAT Board.
Minister de Lille’s presentation informed the committee that a 1 August SAT Board meeting was the main reason for her decision to dissolve the SAT Board. Minister de Lille said this meeting was not convened according to procedure and was not chaired by the legitimate board chairperson. Furthermore, the meeting made some resolutions.
The Minister also said that she has appointed a new SAT Board with six temporary members who are all South African and explained the circumstance surrounding the suspension of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) by the Board. The Minister also noted that the SAT Board has informed her of its intention to take legal action against her.
The committee then heard that, in dissolving the board, the Minister ignored governance and public financial management policy. The committee also heard that under the suspended CEO’s tenure, SAT’s 2023/2024 audit outcome contained material irregularities amounting to R4.2 million. The committee instructed the new board to deal with the suspension of the CEO.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Ms Ronalda Nalumango, told the committee that it needs a legal opinion from Legal Services of Parliament on the dissolution of the board. The committee urged the Minister to reconsider her decision and consider reinstating the board.
The committee will wait for the legal advice from Parliament’s Legal Services before it concludes its engagement with the Minister on the board dissolution.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON TOURISM, MS RONALDA NALUMANGO.
For media inquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Sureshinee Govender (Ms)
Cell: 081 704 1109
E-mail: sugovender@parliament.gov.za
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