The DA has said it plans to submit a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application for all documentation pertaining to the South African Tourism (SAT) multimillion-pound sponsorship proposal with Tottenham Hotspur.

‘In particular we seek documentation that shows that SA and tourism would benefit from this deal. In the last few days, three members of the SAT board have resigned directly because of this deal. Additionally, there appears to have been no competitive bidding process, which makes this whole matter irregular,’ said DA MP Manny de Freitas.

He said all information pertaining to the deal must be made public so that there is clarity on this matter.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu is expected to meet President Cyril Ramaphosa this week to discuss the matter, reports News24.

The meeting follows Sisulu's lengthy discussions with SAT board members over the weekend.

‘The board fully briefed her on the deal on Saturday. She will be meeting the President in the next few days, following which an announcement will be made,’ her spokesperson, Steve Motale, said yesterday.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya previously said Ramaphosa did not think ‘spending so much money in the manner that is being suggested will be justified’.

SAT proposed the deal, worth £42.5m (about R900m), starting at the beginning of the 2023/24 season and concluding at the end of the 2026/27 season.

Full News24 report

DA statement