Interim SA Tourism board: MPs clash with De Lille over her choices

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Cape Town – Parliament’s tourism portfolio committee has reportedly called on Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille to remove two of the three people she appointed as the interim South African Tourism board (SAT), citing reputational risk.

Last month De Lille appointed Kholeka Zama, Tim Harris, and Zwelibanzi Mntambo to manage the affairs of the SA Tourism board while the minister looked to appoint a full-time board.

This came after De Lille advised SA Tourism not to proceed with the proposed controversial R900 million sponsorship of English Premier League club Tottenham, labelling it “unlawful and invalid”.

During her first appearance before her portfolio committee, the minister clashed with MPs who demanded the axing of former DA MP Tim Harris and businessman Zwelibanzi Mntambo over a conflict of interest, reported TimesLIVE. 

The report said ANC and EFF MPs alleged that it was improper for De Lille to appoint Harris because of their previous working relationship.

EFF MP Anthony Matumba said that Harris was a politician and highly invested in SAT, adding that “it would be a conflict of interest if he serves there”.

Mutumba said De Lille should have known better, the report said.

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Committee chair, Tandi Mahambehlala (ANC) said the appointments of Harris and Mntambo “border on reputational risk and conflict of interests” and urged De Lille to consider the shortcomings tabled by members. 

However, according to EWN, De Lille defended her decision to appoint the three and said she would not be forced by the committee to remove the interim board members.

“I will consider your concerns. You can’t instruct me what to do. I’m going to listen to the whole picture conclusively, but nobody can instruct me,” the minister was quoted as saying.

She said she would consider appointing more members to the temporary board but it was up to her, the report said.

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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe 

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