Home » Dudu Myeni (Finally) Out of SAA, But Questions Remain

Dudu Myeni (Finally) Out of SAA, But Questions Remain

The Minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba, has officially announced that South African Airways (SAA) Chairperson Dudu Myeni will no longer serve as a board member, along with five others… but questions linger over her departure. Gigaba announced the Cabinet-approved six new members in a statement today. The new Chairperson will be Johannes Bhekumuzi Magwaza. The […]

By SAPeople
19-10-17 17:52
in News

The Minister of Finance, Malusi Gigaba, has officially announced that South African Airways (SAA) Chairperson Dudu Myeni will no longer serve as a board member, along with five others… but questions linger over her departure.

File Photo.(Businessman Patrice Motsepe, Dudu Myeni Chairperson of the Jacob Zuma Foundation and President Jacob Zuma chatting after the handover of the church). President Jacob Zuma handing over a church in Mamba, Nkandla. South Africa. 03/06/2012

Gigaba announced the Cabinet-approved six new members in a statement today. The new Chairperson will be Johannes Bhekumuzi Magwaza.

The changes will be with effective from 3 November 2017, when the Minister will have a special meeting with the new Board, said Gigaba.

Alf Lees, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Finance, said he is concerned that this effectively means that Myeni will remain as SAA Chairperson until 3 November.

Lees says he will be asking for clarity on several issues, on 26 October during Gigaba’s post-MTBPS briefing… including whether the “lenders to SAA make the removal of Dudu Myeni from the SAA board a condition before extending the repayment of their R5,0 billion loans to SAA” and what other conditions were imposed.

Lees said the removal of “toxic Myeni” will not be enough to save SAA. “The airline is bankrupt and requires R10 billion to continue to limp along. It is time to face up to the fact that SAA can only be saved if it is put into business rescue, stabilised and sold.”

Gigaba said in his statement that he encourages the new Board, including incoming Chief Executive Officer, Vuyani Jarana, “to ignore the political noise, and focus on the business of strengthening SAA”.

Myeni has long been rumoured to be in a personal relationship with President Jacob Zuma and is said to be one of his strongest allies. The news of her no longer being chair of SAA (her term of office apparently expired weeks ago) has critics wondering whether Zuma has dumped her… or has greater plans ahead for her.

Outa said: “At last. Many billions too late. What made #Zuma change his mind? He fired 2 FM’s [finance ministers] over her. Has she joined crowd under bus?” Others said “I foresee she’s moving on to bigger, better things” and “#DuduMyeni is going to be an MP or something closer to tax money to exploit”…

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