SA Tourism Board faces corruption probe over media contracts
Zuko Komisa
- The South African Tourism Board (SA Tourism) is facing a high-priority SIU probe over irregular media buying contracts.
- The investigation, authorised by President Ramaphosa, focuses on payments made for services that were allegedly not delivered.
- The SIU is mandated to recover funds and refer any evidence of criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority.
The South African Tourism Board (SA Tourism) is facing a sweeping investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) following a proclamation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The probe targets allegations of maladministration, improper conduct, and irregular procurement practices specifically related to the entity’s media buying services.
The President authorised the inquiry following concerns over irregular media buying, zeroing in on three specific invoices and related purchase orders.
The SIU’s mandate is to determine whether these contracts and payments adhered to principles of being fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, or cost-effective.
The investigation will cover the period between 1 March 2020 and 21 November 2025, but the SIU is empowered to investigate any relevant conduct before or after these dates.
The unit will also assess whether the procurement process violated any applicable legislation, including instructions issued by the National Treasury, or failed to adhere to SA Tourism’s internal policies and procedures.
The SIU is tasked with uncovering any related unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the state. The scope explicitly includes any irregular conduct by officials, employees, and the implicated suppliers or service providers.
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