Budget 2023
Share

Mboweni: A whole engine has disappeared at SAA Technical

accreditation

In a parliamentary briefing on Thursday, finance minister Tito Mboweni confirmed reports of stolen aircraft equipment from South African Airways Technical (SAAT).

He briefed parliament's standing committees on finance and appropriations, as well as their select committees, on the medium term budget policy statement.

Mboweni told them that massive aircraft equipment had been disappearing from SAAT – a subsidiary of SAA - which has been set up to service aircraft.

"I was told a story by the CEO of SAA [Zuks Ramasia] which boggles the mind. She says a whole spare engine disappeared from SAA Technical. This big thing, how did it leave the airport? It boggles the mind … This is stuff of the movies, man," Mboweni said.

"An aircraft part was lost for ideological reasons'. The ideology of what? The ideology of theft under the guise of Marxism,"Mboweni said, before being called to order by MPs.

Last week, some SAA, Kulula and British Airways planes were grounded after an inspection conducted by the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) at SAAT. According to Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, one of the reasons that SACAA conducted the audit at SAAT was to inspect the loss and theft of aircraft parts, amid reports of an organised crime syndicate that is operating at the organisation. Mbalula said the grounding was a precautionary measure taken by airlines to ensure the safety of passengers.

Mboweni confirmed on Thursday that government is talking to potential equity partners for SAA, and has agreed to repay R9.2bn of SAA's debt over three years.

But he believes SA Express should be closed down or folded into another airline.

"We are quite convinced we should close SA Express," Mboweni said, responding to a question posed by DA MP Geordin Hill-Lewis on the minister's position on the airline.

The airline is facing severe financial challenges, to the extent that Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan could not table the annual financial statements in Parliament on time, Fin24 previously reported.

Mboweni explained that South African Airways owns a 3% share in Airlink, a competitor of SA Express.

"There is no logic whatsoever in having SA Express and Airlink competing with one another, while SAA owns 3% of Airlink," Mboweni said. He said the minister of public service and administration is dealing with this matter.

He suggested SA Express either be folded into Airlink or closed.

Sharing thoughts on Airlink, Mboweni said he does not quite like their service because they are "stingy". "But they get you there and they are profitable," he said.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent-ruolie
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders