DA Demands Records on De Lille’s Dissolution of Tourism Board

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has formally applied for access to documents detailing Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille’s decision to dissolve the South African Tourism Board.

The opposition party announced on Friday that it had submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request seeking the full record of the minister’s decision. This comes amid allegations raised in Parliament earlier this week that De Lille interfered with investigations by the Auditor-General and sought to shield suspended South African Tourism CEO, Nombulelo Guliwe.

Guliwe has been accused of mismanaging an estimated R4.1 million in taxpayers’ funds. The DA is demanding access to the Ngubane Forensic Report into Guliwe, as well as the legal advice the minister relied on to dissolve the Board.

DA Member of Parliament Hassena Ismail argued that De Lille must demonstrate transparency.
“Instead of accountability, she dissolved the Board. We want the forensic report, legal advice and her communications. If she has nothing to hide, she must release the documents. If not, she must face legal action or step aside,” Ismail said.

De Lille appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Tourism this week, where the matter drew sharp scrutiny. The DA maintains that only the release of the requested documents will determine whether the minister acted within the law.