DA calls for investigation into Tourism DG following allegations of bullying

12 August 2024

The DA calls on the Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille, to take serious steps regarding the allegations against the Director-General of Tourism, Victor Tharage, as reported in City Press yesterday.

It is reported that he bullied and manipulated his power, leading to the resignation of senior staff members.

These allegations are of deep concern to the DA, painting a picture of a toxic environment that has ostensibly made many dedicated employees resign. Tourism is one of the cornerstones of our economy, and it functions optimally with employee morale and welfare. When leaders create a culture of fear and intimidation, this has implications for staff retention, creativity, productivity, and ultimately the visitor experience we all want to improve.

The DA calls on the HR Department to ensure tolerance of such behavior is not allowed and that proper measures are put in place to attend to it. It is important to create a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all workers.

As responsible parliamentarians, we must certainly hold departments accountable to ensure each and every employee feels safe, valued, and empowered to make effective contributions.

Written questions will be sent to Minister de Lille to determine precisely what is happening in her department and the extent of the resignations. These allegations must be treated seriously by the Minister, who should initiate a comprehensive investigation into the DG's conduct.

Issued by Haseena Ismail, DA Spokesperson on Tourism, 12 August 2024