The Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises has forwarded a report to the acting speaker and the programming committee, urging an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into the failed agreement between South African Airways (SAA) and Takatso Consortium. The committee, chaired by Khaya Magaxa, has completed its review and now awaits further action from these higher authorities.
Status of the Investigation Report
Chairperson Khaya Magaxa emphasized the transition of responsibilities regarding the committee’s findings.
“The process of taking the report of the committee pertaining our investigation on the allegations against the minister is now in the hands of the speaker’s office and the programming committee of parliament. It’s no longer in our hands. It’s in their competency to decide as to when it’s going to be tabled in the House,”
Magaxa stated.
The specifics of when the report will be discussed in the House remain undisclosed. The urgency of the investigation stems from concerns that the SAA-Takatso partnership may not have been conducted transparently and with integrity.
Allegations and Responses
The committee’s call for an SIU probe comes amid accusations that the deal was compromised. Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, has vociferously rejected these claims, threatening legal action against the committee. He has dismissed the allegations as baseless and a part of a smear campaign aimed at damaging his reputation and that of his department.
“It’s a smear campaign to tarnish my name and the department,”
Gordhan defended.
Pravin Gordhan also criticized the committee’s proceedings as prejudiced, labeling the investigation a fait accompli, and accused the committee members of politicizing the issue.
The Deal’s Termination
The decision to terminate the SAA-Takatso deal was made by the cabinet several months ago. Members of the committee expressed their support for Magaxa, noting that the decisions made were collective and not solely his responsibility.
Gordhan Claims
Efforts to have Minister Gordhan explain the details of the SAA-Takatso agreement to Parliament have been ongoing since last year. These were initiated after allegations by former Director-General Kgathatso Tlhakudi, who claimed Pravin Gordhan was involved in misconduct. Gordhan has consistently refused to disclose details of the deal, citing the need to protect SAA from potential competitive harm.
“This would also expose SAA to its competitors,”
Gordhan explained.
The matter now rests with the parliament’s leadership to decide the next steps in this unfolding investigation, which could have significant implications for public trust and governance within South Africa’s public enterprises.
