Following extensive delays, the Department of Tourism has shifted the implementation of the Tourism Equity Fund TEF from the Small Enterprise Finance Agency SEFA to the Public Investment Corporation PIC. However, in a recent Parliamentary meeting, it came to light that the original implementer, SEFA, is refusing to hand over any information on grant recipients.
At a recent meeting of Parliaments Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille requested Parliaments support in addressing the performance or non-performance of the TEF.
She said, after advice from National Treasury, a decision was made to move the implementation of the fund to the PIC. A close-out report was requested and, according to De Lille, prepared by SEFA although it refused to give the names of the companies and individuals that have benefitted so far citing the Protection of Personal Information Act POPIA.
De Lille said the Department of Tourism sought legal opinion in a bid to compel SEFA to share the information and found that the department is entitled to the information. She said SEFA is hiding behind POPIA but there is nothing stopping Parliament from asking the questions.
Sonja Boshoff , Chairperson of the Select Committee on Economic Development and Trade, said SEFA cannot hold the department to ransom. This is not just about administration it affects the lives of ordinary South Africans.