Question NW4046 to the Minister of Tourism
21 December 2023 - NW4046
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Tourism
(1)With reference to the seizure of South African Tourism’s assets, (a)(i) when and (ii) where did the seizure take place; (2) What assets (a) were seized and (b) are being utilised in place of the seized assets; (3) What (a) was the value of the assets seized (b) were the reasons for the seizure; (4) Whether legal action has been initiated in this regard; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? NW5322E
Reply:
(1)(a)(i) - When did it take place?
I have been informed by South Africa Tourism that, regarding the inquiry concerning the acquisition of assets belonging to South African Tourism, it is imperative to clarify that it was not a seizure but rather a retrieval of assets. Specifically, the laptops in question are the rightful property of SA Tourism and do not constitute the personal assets of the individuals who were instructed to surrender their laptops for the purpose of data preservation. This procedural action transpired on Thursday, July 6, 2023.
(1)(a)(ii) - Where did it take place?
At the SA Tourism Johannesburg office, located in Bojanala House, 90 Protea Road, Chislehurston, Johannesburg, 2196.
(2)(a) - What assets were seized?
|
NO |
LAPTOP/DESKTOP |
MAKE |
COLLECTION LOCATION |
DATA COLLECTED |
DATE RETURNED |
|
1 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 5520 |
SIU OFFICES DELIVERED BY SAT |
10-Jul-23 |
11-Jul-23 |
|
2 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 5520 |
SIU OFFICES DELIVERED BY SAT |
10-Jul-23 |
11-Jul-23 |
|
3 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 5520 |
SIU OFFICES DELIVERED BY SAT |
07-Jul-23 |
10-Jul-23 |
|
4 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 5520 |
SAT |
06-Jul-23 |
10-Jul-23 |
|
5 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 5520 |
SAT |
06-Jul-23 |
10-Jul-23 |
|
6 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 7300 |
SAT |
06-Jul-23 |
10-Jul-23 |
|
7 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 7290 |
SAT |
06-Jul-23 |
10-Jul-23 |
|
8 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 7300 |
SAT |
06-Jul-23 |
07-Jul-23 |
|
9 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 5300 |
SAT |
06-Jul-23 |
07-Jul-23 |
|
10 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 7290 |
SAT |
06-Jul-23 |
07-Jul-23 |
|
11 |
LAPTOP |
DELL XPS |
SAT |
06-Jul-23 |
07-Jul-23 |
|
12 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 5520 |
SAT |
06-Jul-23 |
07-Jul-23 |
|
13 |
LAPTOP |
DELL LATITUDE 5430 |
SAT |
06-Sep-23 |
08-Sep-23 |
(2)(b) - What are being used in place of the seized assets?
Individual laptops were returned as per the Table above. The focus remained on expediting the return of laptops to individuals in the minimum amount of time.
(3)(a) - Value of the seized assets?
The average value of laptops taken is approximately R 21 000, therefore the total average value was approximately R 252,000 at the time of collection for data preservation purposes.
(3)(b) - Reason for the seizure?
The assets were collected for the preservation of data to ensure that all information necessary to the investigation was secured and available to the investigators.
(4) - Whether legal action has been initiated?
The event was not a seizure but a collection of assets which already belonged to SA Tourism, not the individuals who were asked to hand them in for data preservation purposes. The assets that were collected are the property of SAT as an employer and were not seized from anyone. Officials were requested to temporarily hand in SAT property. No legal action has been initiated, and the SIU employees seconded to the agency continue their investigations.