OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Saturday 12.00pm.
MAFIKA Mkwanazi, the chairman of South African Airways’ board resigned with immediate effect but denied it was connected to the airline’s transformation.
SAA chief executive officer Coleman Andrews this week announced the appointment of a commission on transformation amid reports that disgruntled senior black managers had called for a commission of inquiry into alleged financial mismanagement, racism and non-transformation, the Saturday Star reported.
The report from the senior managers is alleged to have been circulated to President Thabo Mbeki’s office. They claimed Mbeki had discussed it with his legal adviser, Mojanku Gumbi.
The report had also been sent to Minister of Public Enterprises, Jeff Radebe.
Mkwanazi said his resignation had nothing to do with the report.
“Increasing responsibilities as acting managing director of Portnet and positions as chairperson of five other boards have resulted in my resignation as chair of SAA but not as board member,” he said.
He said the commission for transformation that had been appointed was not connected to the senior managers’ report.
Transnet chief executive officer Saki Macozoma had been appointed as interim chairman of the board.
Presidential spokesman Parks Mankahlana could not confirm whether Mbeki had seen the report.