OUTA urges legal action to reverse SA Tourism board axing
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has urged the axed SA Tourism board of directors to consider taking legal action against their dismissal.
Tourism Minister Patricia De Lille scrapped the board, citing ongoing governance and leadership concerns.
According to the minister, the board exceeded its powers by appointing a board member to carry out some of the functions of the previous chairperson, who resigned in July.
But OUTA's Wayne Duvenage has criticised the decision, calling it politically motivated.
Duvenhage believes the board acted within its mandate by addressing serious governance concerns.
“We believe the minister did not even take the time to formally meet with the board and, therefore, she has not given the process sufficient input and thought prior to taking this drastic action of dismissing the entire board,” said Duvenage.
“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.”
Duvenage has called on De Lille to reinstate the board.
"This decision by Minister De Lille is disgraceful. 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.”
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