Govt buyout of Takatso minorities would help 'claw back' bigger slice of SAA, committee hears

Government has expressed interest in buying minority shareholders' stake in the Takatso Consortium – South African Airways' (SAA) chosen strategic equity partner – saying it could be a way to "claw back" to a larger shareholding in the embattled airline.

This was indicated by Deputy Public Enterprises Minister Obed Bapela to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises during a briefing last week. Bapela acknowledged that this could be a way for government to return to a larger shareholding than 49%.

But according to the minority shareholders, they currently have no plans to sell, despite a recommendation by the Competition Commission calling for their exit from Takatso.