Lindiwe Sisulu must stop investigation into whistle-blower, PSA says
SA Tourism’s board says it will probe the leaking of a document that contained information about the three-year, R1bn sponsorship arrangement
10 February 2023 - 13:39
byPenwell Dlamini
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Tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu. Picture: MICHAEL WALKER
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has called on tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu to halt an investigation to track down the whistle-blower who leaked documents about the controversial SA Tourism deal with Tottenham Hotspur.
The PSA said on Thursday it had learnt, with disgust, about plans by the SA Tourism board to probe how the discussion document about the deal with the English Premier League football side was leaked to the media.
“The PSA urges the minister of tourism to intervene and stop this irrational and wasteful forensic probe as the outcome of the investigation is not in the interest of SA. Such persecutions must not happen if the country hopes to rid itself of the scourge of crime and corruption. A crime-free country with sound infrastructure is what will boost tourism.
“The protection of whistle-blowers remains key and central to the fight against corruption. The interests of the country and its citizens must be prioritised over self-enrichment schemes disguised as government programmes to improve the country,” the association said.
On Wednesday, the SA Tourism board said it would investigate the leaking of the document, which contained information about the three-year, R1bn sponsorship arrangement.
It added that it would also investigate allegations that its interim CFO, Johan van der Walt, had a conflict of interest with a company that stood to benefit from the deal.
The investigation is seen as a move to act against whistle-blowers who are needed to fight corruption.
SA Tourism has been widely criticised for its plans concerning the proposed Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship deal, which would seek to attract visitors to the country. On social media, South Africans asked how the government could spend so much money on an international football club when the country had an energy crisis, high unemployment and poverty.
Criticism heightened when acting SA Tourism CEO Themba Khumalo “arrogantly” defended the deal. He later apologised during a meeting with the tourism portfolio committee, which also lambasted the deal.
“The deal ends here today,” said its chair, Tandi Mahambehlala.
The presidency has indicated that the arrangement was unjustifiable.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Lindiwe Sisulu must stop investigation into whistle-blower, PSA says
SA Tourism’s board says it will probe the leaking of a document that contained information about the three-year, R1bn sponsorship arrangement
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has called on tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu to halt an investigation to track down the whistle-blower who leaked documents about the controversial SA Tourism deal with Tottenham Hotspur.
The PSA said on Thursday it had learnt, with disgust, about plans by the SA Tourism board to probe how the discussion document about the deal with the English Premier League football side was leaked to the media.
“The PSA urges the minister of tourism to intervene and stop this irrational and wasteful forensic probe as the outcome of the investigation is not in the interest of SA. Such persecutions must not happen if the country hopes to rid itself of the scourge of crime and corruption. A crime-free country with sound infrastructure is what will boost tourism.
“The protection of whistle-blowers remains key and central to the fight against corruption. The interests of the country and its citizens must be prioritised over self-enrichment schemes disguised as government programmes to improve the country,” the association said.
On Wednesday, the SA Tourism board said it would investigate the leaking of the document, which contained information about the three-year, R1bn sponsorship arrangement.
It added that it would also investigate allegations that its interim CFO, Johan van der Walt, had a conflict of interest with a company that stood to benefit from the deal.
The investigation is seen as a move to act against whistle-blowers who are needed to fight corruption.
SA Tourism has been widely criticised for its plans concerning the proposed Tottenham Hotspur sponsorship deal, which would seek to attract visitors to the country. On social media, South Africans asked how the government could spend so much money on an international football club when the country had an energy crisis, high unemployment and poverty.
Criticism heightened when acting SA Tourism CEO Themba Khumalo “arrogantly” defended the deal. He later apologised during a meeting with the tourism portfolio committee, which also lambasted the deal.
“The deal ends here today,” said its chair, Tandi Mahambehlala.
The presidency has indicated that the arrangement was unjustifiable.
TimesLIVE
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