Numsa: Appointment of new SAA interim board raises questions
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) said the appointment of a new South African Airways (SAA) interim board reeks of corruption and has been shrouded in mystery.
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan announced the appointment of an interim board of directors for the ailing airline on Monday.
Gordhan and his department have since come under fire for being secretive and not informing the public of plans to replace the board of directors.
This is the eighth board to oversee the national carrier in 14 years.
The appointment of a new South African Airways interim board, led by former tourism minister Derek Hanekom, garnered stinging criticism from Numsa – one of the country’s largest labour unions.
News of the new board was made public shortly after a scathing statement from Numsa.
The union also accused Gordhan of secretly firing the former board members last week.
The newly appointed board will serve until the takeover of SAA’s equity partner, Takatso Consortium.
However, Numsa spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola questioned Gordhan’s motives including why he replaced the board without informing the public or Parliament.
“Why do you replace an interim board with another interim board during the middle of an audit? What are you trying to hide? Who is going to account at SAA?”
Hlubi-Majola said the national carrier was deliberately devalued.
“No transparency from the minister on what process he followed to appoint Takatso Consortium to say they should be the ones to take over the entire airline. There is definitely corruption, this whole issue stinks.”
Numsa further demanded transparency and accountability for the fate of SAA.
-EWN
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