Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has pushed back against accusations that she shielded corruption when she dissolved the South African Tourism board. Speaking before Parliament’s portfolio committee, she insisted that her actions were lawful and necessary.
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De Lille dissolved the board, citing unlawful conduct and procedural irregularities, but some MPs accused her of protecting SA Tourism CEO Nombulelo Guliwe, who faced disciplinary action after a board resolution.
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“The chairperson said that it seems to be that I am protecting corruption. I want to say that if anybody has got any evidence that I am protecting corruption, I will advise anybody to take the evidence to the Hawks, to the police,” she said.
MPs Question Decision to Dissolve SA Tourism Board
Members of Parliament grilled De Lille on Tuesday, arguing that she should have consulted the committee before disbanding the board. Critics claim her move effectively shielded Guliwe from facing the board’s disciplinary measures.
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De Lille, however, stood her ground, insisting she was well within her rights to act decisively. “I was not required to consult Parliament before taking this decision,” she argued.
De Lille Defends Her Authority Under the Tourism Act
The Minister maintained that the SA Tourism board had overstepped its powers by taking a resolution against the CEO on 1 August 2025 without following procedures outlined in the Tourism Act.
She reiterated that accountability lies with proper legal channels, not political accusations. “If there is evidence of wrongdoing, it belongs with the law enforcement authorities—not in political mudslinging,” De Lille emphasized.
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