De Lille Fires Back: “Show Me the Proof,” Challenges Critics to Put Up or Shut Up

If you thought South African politics was taking a quiet turn, think again. The halls of Parliament are echoing with fresh controversy, and this time, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille is at the center of the storm. It’s a classic Cape Town showdown: a minister, a dissolved board, and accusations flying faster than a minibus taxi on the N2.

The drama unfolded this week when de Lille faced a grilling from the Portfolio Committee on Tourism. The heat was turned all the way up. The reason? Her decision to abruptly dissolve the entire board of SA Tourism.

The Heart of the Dispute

The move, which de Lille states was due to “unlawful conduct and procedural flaws” by the board, has not gone down well. The now-former board had made a decision on August 1st to initiate disciplinary action against the organization’s CEO, Nombulelo Guliwe. According to the Minister, in doing so, they overstepped their mandate and violated the Tourism Act.

But from the perspective of many committee members, the timing looks suspicious. To them, dissolving the board doesn’t look like a cleanup operation; it looks like a cover-up. The narrative from opposition MPs is that de Lille is shielding CEO Guliwe from accountability, a serious allegation that strikes at the heart of good governance.

A Political Dare in the Committee Room

This is where the story gets spicy. Instead of retreating, de Lille went on the offensive. In a move that’s pure Patricia de Lillea politician known for her combative styleshe didn’t just deny the accusations. She dared her accusers to prove them.

Her message to MPs was simple: if you have concrete evidence that I am protecting corruption, don’t waste time grandstanding in a committee meeting. Take that evidence straight to the Hawks.

“The chairperson said that it seems to be that I am protecting corruption. I want to say that if anybody has got any evidence that I am protecting corruption, I will advise anybody to take the evidence to the Hawks, to the police,” de Lille stated. It was a clear challenge, shifting the burden of proof squarely onto her critics.

The Unspoken Question of Power

Beneath the surface of this specific clash lies a broader, ongoing tension between Parliament and the Executive. Committee members expressed fury that the Minister did not consult them before axing the board. This touches a nerve in a democracy where oversight is Parliament’s sacred duty. They argue that such a significant decision demands collaboration, not a unilateral decree.

De Lille’s retort is that the law grants her the power to do exactly what she did. It’s a classic standoff between legislative oversight and executive authority, a power play that is as old as democracy itself.

For the public watching at home, it can feel like inside baseball. But the outcome matters. SA Tourism is the engine of a critical industry, tasked with selling South Africa to the world. The stability and integrity of its leadership are paramount for attracting visitors and investment.

The ball is now in the court of de Lille’s detractors. Will they follow through on their allegations and present hard evidence to law enforcement, or will the claims remain confined to the heated rhetoric of Parliament? For now, the Minister has made her move and thrown down the gauntlet. The next move is theirs.

Source:EWN 

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