Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance has welcomed the decision by Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille to stop the controversial R900 million Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship deal.
De Lille on Friday advised the South African Tourism (SAT) board to not go through with their proposed sponsorship deal, labelling it “unlawful and invalid”.
“The board approved the proposed deal subject to consultation with the minister of tourism and minister of finance. That’s why my advice to the board is to stop proceeding with the deal.
“We have to be much more careful and give careful consideration in everything we do as a government. Money must be used wisely and prudently as we are instructed to look after public funds,” De Lille said.
MEDIA STATEMENT: UPDATE TO THE MEDIA ON THE TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR/SA TOURISM SPONSORHIP PROPOSAL@GovernmentZA pic.twitter.com/E3KOm415GA
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) March 24, 2023
She continued: “This matter has been marred by a lot of controversy and has raised many questions, and we need to resolve this matter decisively and in the best interest of the people of South Africa as soon as possible.
“My advice to the board, considering all the factors and the priorities we need in our country, we owe the public an explanation. My advice to the board is to stop the deal immediately.”
According to EWN, DA Member of Parliament (MP) Manny de Freitas said De Lille’s decision proved the deal was unlawful, something that was declared by several legal experts as well.
He said he would continue to call for relevant stakeholders to be held to account.
“At the next portfolio committee meeting, I will be asking that the investigation continue, anyway, as to how this proposal for Tottenham Hotspur could have taken place in the first place,” the report quoted de Freitas as saying.
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Picture: Twitter/@Tourism_gov_za
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
