The South African Tourism Board has launched two internal investigations – a forensic investigation into dealing with the leaking of confidential information of board discussions as well as allegations involving SA Tourism’s interim CFO, Johan van der Walt.

This announcement by the Board follows an intense, full-day meeting yesterday (Tuesday, February 7) where the Portfolio Committee for Tourism called for an immediate end to South African Tourism’s plans for a controversial R1 billion (€48 million) sponsorship deal with English Premier League (EPL) football side, Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite serious criticism of the viability, as well as concerns around a lack of industry consultation on the proposed deal from various tourism industry stakeholders – including SATSA and the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) – Acting CEO of South African Tourism, Themba Khumalo, passionately defended the business case and ROI for the proposed deal.

However, the Members of Parliament comprising the committee were adamant in their assertions that the proposal should not move forward, and have also called for an investigation into alleged improprieties around the deal.

“This deal ends here, today, now. And we are saying there must be an investigation on this matter with immediate effect,” said Committee Chairperson, Thandi Mahambehlala, who added that, should SA Tourism opt to pursue the sponsorship deal, the committee would write to National Treasury and President Cyril Ramaphosa asking for a reallocation of the funds.  

SA Tourism’s mandate is marketing

The Board reiterated that SA Tourism was founded by the Tourism Act 3 of 2014 as a Destination Marketing Organisation.

“The mandate of the organisation is to market South Africa as a domestic and international leisure tourism and business events destination and to advise the Minister on any other matter relating to tourism marketing amongst others,” said a Board spokesperson.

She added: “In the execution of its mandate, SA Tourism receives various unsolicited proposals which are reviewed following all governance structures within the entity. On January 27 a presentation on a marketing opportunity pertaining to Tottenham Hotspur FC was made by SA Tourism management to the SA Tourism Board.

The spokesperson said that following a few recommendations and updates to the presentation, the South African Tourism Board conditionally approved the project with the following provisos: that there would be consultation with the Minister of Tourism, National Treasury  and other relevant stakeholders

Details leaked

However, prior to the consultation processes being undertaken, a presentation containing the details of the Tottenham Hotspur FC deal was leaked to the public via the media.  

“Unfortunately this was prior to the planned consultations with the above-mentioned stakeholders and any final decision on the deal being made. The SA Tourism Board has deliberated and resolved that a forensic investigation on the leaking of the SA Tourism Board discussions be conducted,” said the spokesperson.  

Furthermore, the spokesperson added, the Board has noted the media reports on the issue of Van der Walt. “It has been resolved that the matter be investigated. The SA Tourism board is committed to the speedy resolution of both these matters.”