The Pretoria High Court has dismissed a urgent case brought forth by the dissolved South African Tourism (SAT) board against Minister Patricia de Lille. The former board’s appeal for reinstatement ignited controversy following De Lille’s controversial decision to disband the board in August this year. This court decision marks a notable moment in the ongoing battle between the ousted board and the Minister as tensions within the tourism sector intensify.
The case hinged on allegations from the former board members that their dissolution was a fabricated excuse stemming from an alleged unauthorised meeting earlier that month, which they claim was conducted without a duly appointed chair. The board vehemently denies the accusations, claiming that they serve merely to shield SAT’s CEO, Nombulelo Guliwe, from accountability for alleged mismanagement.
In a statement following the ruling, Minister De Lille expressed her satisfaction with the court’s decision. “In the meantime, already on the 10th of October, I have gazetted a call for an advertisement with a call for South Africans to nominate eligible, suitable candidates. I will then take it to the process of interviews and shortlisting, where, afterwards, I will then take my recommendations to Cabinet for consideration,” she asserted, signalling her determination to move forward with reforms in the beleaguered institution.
The dissolution of the SAT board has been a point of contention amidst ongoing calls for accountability and transparency within South Africa’s tourism industry, which is still recovering from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome of this ruling paves the way for a new beginning, as De Lille gears up to appoint new leadership aimed at revitalising the sector.