l
Image: Flickr/GovZA
OUTA urges Minister de Lille to support Tourism board on CEO suspension
- OUTA writes to Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, asking her to back the Tourism board actions against poor governance.
- OUTA wants a copy of the forensic report and AGSA report on this matter.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) is concerned by Minister Patricia de Lille’s failure to act decisively in the governance crisis unfolding at South African Tourism (SAT).
Following the resignation of SAT chairperson Professor Gregory Davids at the end of July 2025, the Minister has yet to appoint a new chairperson or acting chairperson. This delay is hampering the ability of the board to fulfil its fiduciary responsibilities at a time when decisive leadership is urgently required. The responsibility to appoint a chair lies squarely with the Minister of Tourism, not the board.
Compounding this inaction is the Minister’s apparent reluctance to support the SAT board’s decision to suspend CEO Nombulelo Guliwe. This decision followed serious findings by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) and a forensic investigation by forensic investigations firm Ngubane, which identified governance breaches linked to a R4.18 million payment to a service provider. As reported in the Sunday Times on 17 August, the Board acted within its mandate to protect SAT from further governance failures, yet their actions appear to lack the Minister’s backing.
“Good governance demands swift and transparent action when red flags are raised, especially when supported by findings from credible institutions like the AGSA,” says Wayne Duvenage, OUTA CEO. “Minister de Lille’s hesitation is surprising given her track record of taking strong action on maladministration in the past.”
OUTA will be writing to Minister de Lille to:
- Urge the urgent appointment of a chairperson or acting chair to the SAT board;
- Call on her to endorse the board’s collective decisions, including the suspension of the CEO; and
- Request full access to the Ngubane forensic report and the AGSA findings on this matter.
Holding executives accountable in state entities is essential to safeguard taxpayers’ money. When credible reports point to governance failures, these must be addressed decisively. Delays or obstruction by political principals only serve to frustrate the fiduciary duties of boards and undermine accountability in state institutions.
Help OUTA oppose corruption
OUTA stands up against government corruption and mismanagement.
Our work is made possible through donations by our paying supporters.
Join us in working towards a better South Africa by becoming a paying OUTA supporter.
In July 2025, we won a court order overturning the Karpowership generation licences, and effectively blocked this project (see more here).
In September 2024, we exposed the dodgy driving licence card machine contract and, as a result, the Minister of Transport moved to cancel it in March 2025 (see here).
In April 2024, the Gauteng e-tolls were officially switched off after our long campaign lasting more than a decade (see more here).
We have published six annual reports assessing the work of Parliament (see more here).
In April 2023, we won a court order overturning the national State of Disaster on electricity (see more here).
We have been demanding access to information on toll concessionaire profits since 2019, and are now involved in court cases challenging this secrecy (see more here).
In May 2020, we had former SAA chair Dudu Myeni declared a delinquent director for life (see more here).
We campaign against state capture and have opened criminal cases against high-profile implicated people (see more here).
We regularly challenge unreasonably high electricity prices.
We want to see South Africa’s tax revenue and public funds used for the benefit of all, not a greedy few.
Donations of any amount are welcome.