The South African Tourism (SA Tourism) board has launched an internal investigation into the leak of documents detailing the near-billion-rand sponsorship proposal of the marketing wing to English Premier League top-flight club Tottenham Hotspur.
SA Tourism board is on the hunt for a leak in its structures
The past week has been a PR nightmare for the SA Tourism board, to say the least.
South Africans disgruntled with the status quo in the country lambasted the Tourism Department when the Daily Maverick leaked a presentation with confidential information about a proposal drafted by the marketing wing to sponsor Spurs for three years.
The deal, spearheaded by interim CEO Themba Khumalo, was an attempt by SA Tourism to position South Africa as a premium holiday destination at one of the most prestigious football stadiums in Europe.
“On the 27th of January 2023, a presentation on a marketing opportunity pertaining to Tottenham Hotspur FC was made by SA Tourism management to the SA Tourism Board. Following a few recommendations and updates to the presentation, the South African Tourism Board conditionally approved the project,” SA Tourism explained.
Before the proposal could undergo internal processes, like a mandatory consultation with Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, the board and National Treasury, the presentation submitted to Tottenham Hotspur was leaked to the media.
“Unfortunately, this was prior to the planned consultations with the above-mentioned stakeholders and any final decision on the deal being made,” the statement continued.
In the midst of the backlash, President Cyril Ramaphosa ridiculed the deal as unjustifiable.
“Even though the Presidency has not been briefed, we do not think spending so much money in the manner that is being suggested will be justified,” Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said earlier this week.
Further leaks also revealed a possible conflict of interest.
In another Daily Maverick exposé, CFO Johan van der Walt was branded as a possible beneficiary of an alleged kickback from the near-billion-rand deal.
Leaked documents showed how Van der Walt, a prominent member of WWP Group, the agency that oversaw the deal between SA Tourism and Tottenham Hotspur, was in line to receive an R31.3 million reward for activating the sponsorship in March 2023.
However, the disgraced CFO has vehemently rubbished claims he had any close involvement with or anything to benefit from the deal.
In light of these developments, the SA Tourism board “deliberated and resolved that a forensic investigation on the leaking of the SA Tourism Board discussions be conducted.”
The board also noted the allegations against Van der Walt and vowed to probe the matter.
“The SA Tourism board is committed to the speedy resolution of both these matters,” the statement concluded.