Committee shreds SAT’s Tottenham deal
The Portfolio Committee on Tourism yesterday resolved that SA Tourism's (SAT’s) proposed deal with English football club Tottenham Hotspur is dead in the water.
The committee was reportedly unimpressed with SAT’s presentation. Chairperson Tandi Mahambehlala summed up the mood of the moment, saying ‘it ends here today, now.’
If SAT isn't swayed, the committee will write to the Treasury and President Cyril Ramaphosa, asking that the funds earmarked for the deal be otherwise allocated.
News24 reports that the committee also wants to investigate the proposed deal, which would see SAT pay close to R1bn over three years for a sponsorship deal with the north London-based English Premier League side.
Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, who faced a hostile reception when she eventually appeared before the committee, said as far as the government is concerned, there is no deal on the table.
MPs were angered by Sisulu's initial absence at the meeting to account for the proposed deal, reports TimesLIVE.
They accused her of undermining the committee and being disrespectful. ‘We have had a Minister who has been a law unto herself, never attended portfolio committee meetings (and) not here on a crucial matter,’ said Mahambehlala.
MPs felt Sisulu should have introduced the SAT board. The committee previously issued summons against Sisulu after previous requests for her to appear were ignored. The Minister appointed new SAT board chairperson Thozamile Botha on Saturday, the third person in the position in three months, said Mahambehlala.
Three board members resigned on Friday after the uproar over the deal, which would have seen SA pay about R900m for a three-year branding sponsorship from July.
EWN reports that Sisulu later said she had excused herself from appearing before the committee.
She said she had submitted a written apology on Monday, which was also sent to the department's Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela. Sisulu's spokesperson Steve Motale said Sisulu took ‘exception’ to her written apology not being read out to the committee.
He added that Sisulu did join the meeting after the Joint Cabinet Committees meeting.
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