Question NW2453 to the Minister of Tourism

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13 December 2021 - NW2453

Profile picture: Moteka, Mr PG

Moteka, Mr PG to ask the Minister of Tourism

In light of the Auditor-General exposing serious corruption regarding the distribution of the relief funds, where the monies have been paid to (a) deceased persons and (b) applicants with no identification numbers, what (i) are the names of the culprits in the specified cases and (ii) steps are being taken by her department to recover the stolen monies?

Reply:

a) As part of the actions on the audit findings and recommendations of the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA), the Department will undertake an independent investigation to establish if there was any possible collusion from officials in this regard. The Department aims to conclude this investigation by end of April 2022.

The redemption of funds that were destined for the tourist guides who were in the respective Provincial Registers but were unfortunately found to have been deceased will be reported to the South African Police Services (SAPS) for further handling.

Furthermore, provinces will be informed of the audit findings particularly in relation to their tourist guides registers.

b) (i) and (ii) The Department will undertake a verification process with all the provinces of the forms of identification used by the various tourist guides taking into account the fact that anyone with a work visa may register as a tourist guide provided all other legal requirements are met. Further verification will be conducted with the Department of Home Affairs. Where there may be a case of invalid identification, the Department will institute recovery processes. The verification process is scheduled to conclude by March 2022.

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