Heads are set to roll at the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) after former national Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela was appointed as the interim Chairperson of the Board set to release findings of the forensic investigation into corruption at the entity.
This was announced by the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Jesta Sidell on Monday, September 1, when she officially launched Tourism Month this morning at the Nelspruit Botanical Gardens.
She was responding to a media query on how far the forensic investigation was as she said: “The investigation has been completed and I have appointed Fish Mahlalela to head the interim MTPA Board after the term of office expired on 31 August 2025, to carry out the outstanding tasks that were supposed to be completed by the outgoing Board.
READ | https://mpmirroronline.co.za/mtpa-ceo-placed-on-precautionary-suspension/
“I have appointed Mr Fish Mahlalela because of his extensive experience and knowledge in tourism, having served as the Deputy Minister of Tourism nationally, he will deal with the forensic outcomes of the investigation that had been launched.
“All the affected wrongdoers including staff members will be formally announced and the appropriate sanctions against them after three more additional members of the Board are announced on Wednesday,” said Sidell.
This is a sequel that saw the suspension of former MTPA’s CEO, Mduduzi Vilakazi and the previous MEC for the department, Makhosazane Masilela stated during a media briefing then, that a number of officials from the entity were also being investigated.
“In Mahlalela, I have confidence that he will lead the entity in the right direction and grow tourism in the province,” said Sidell.
