The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has slammed Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille’s decision to dissolve the South African Tourism (SAT) board, describing it as “gross political interference” and an “assault on governance.”

De Lille announced her decision on Wednesday.

OUTA argues that the board was acting within its mandate when it moved to suspend SA Tourism CEO Nombulelo Guliwe following governance concerns raised by the Auditor-General and a forensic investigation into irregular financial conduct.

“Dissolving a board that is holding management to account is an assault on governance,” OUTA said in a statement. “OUTA calls on Minister de Lille to reverse her decision immediately.”

The organisation believes the Minister’s actions were designed to protect the SAT CEO rather than strengthen accountability.

“This decision by Minister de Lille is disgraceful,” said OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage.

“OUTA has witnessed many boards of state entities that have fallen short of their oversight and fiduciary duties, which gives rise to maladministration and corruption in these entities. Thus, when we witness a state entity board that is acting with integrity and diligence, we need to celebrate and support them. What infuriates us is when a minister such as de Lille steps in to dismantle it. Such political interference and irrational behaviour undermines accountability, emboldens misconduct, and signals to all state entities that political protection trumps governance.”

De Lille, however, has defended her decision, stating on Wednesday that the board “acted unlawfully and exceeded its powers” when it suspended Guliwe on 1 August.

In a statement earlier this month, her office said:

“According to the legal advice to the Minister, this decision by the SA Tourism board is unlawful. As of 31 July 2025, the South African Tourism Board does not have a board chairperson following the resignation of Professor Gregory Davids. This means the board in its current form is not properly constituted to take such a resolution.”

But OUTA takes issue with De Lille’s claim that the board is not properly constituted.

“As far as OUTA is concerned, the fact that the board does not have a chairperson, which incidentally is the Minister’s fault, doesn’t make the board’s decision unlawful in taking the necessary action that it did. We believe the board was quorate and unanimous in how it arrived at the decision to suspend the CEO, pending a disciplinary enquiry into her conduct.”

OUTA has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to dismiss De Lille, saying her conduct is inconsistent with her constitutional mandate.

“South Africa cannot afford more political meddling in its public institutions. We need leaders who back good governance, not those who undermine it.”

The Minister maintains she is “committed to ensuring the adherence to sound governance principles at South African Tourism” and will continue to address the matter through the proper channels.

Following the precautionary suspension of the SA Tourism CEO, I have received legal advice that the resolution by the SA Tourism board is unlawful.

I remain committed to ensuring adherence to sound governance principles. pic.twitter.com/ienaZ1BDE3

— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) August 14, 2025