The Scorpions conducted raids at 11 residents and business premises of employees of South African Airways (SAA) Technical in a bid to root out alleged corruption at the unit on Friday, the airline said.
Some of the raids were conducted at the purchasing department of SAA Technical at the request of SAA, the airliner said.
”Friday’s operation was as a result of a routine internal audit, which revealed suspicions of kickbacks by suppliers to staff responsible for purchases,” SAA said in a statement.
It said one of the premises of a supplier situated at the airline’s premises was also searched.
”At no stage was the safety of our passengers or the airworthiness of any of our aircraft affected or compromised. SAA has and will always adopt a zero-tolerance policy against corruption.
”Disciplinary action will be taken against suspected individuals and arrests may follow,” it said.
Nine of the buildings are in Johannesburg, one in Durban and one in Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape, Scorpions spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said.
He said the Scorpions conducted the raids in search of evidence. SAA requested the Scorpions to probe the alleged corruption at SAA Technical about three weeks ago.
”We are looking for evidence. We are not arresting anybody, we are just trying to gather evidence,” he said. — Sapa