In the same week we had to learn that the SA Express Airlines – that ugly little propeller driven half sister of the SAA – has seen disputes in its accounts involving R1-billion, we also have to learn that cadet pilot training for the SAA is reserved for blacks only.
SAA spokesman Kabelo Ledwaba told the Afrikaans excuse for a newspaper, Beeld, that the programme was being advertised online as an initiative to bring pilot demographics in line with the country’s broader demographics. In other words for blacks only.
Ledwaba said the airline would only appoint male, white pilots when there were vacant posts for which applicants of other races could not be found.
An irate father had called the newspaper to complain that his son, who had a commercial pilot’s licence and met the educational and physical criteria, had been rejected on the grounds of race.
Turning to SA Express, the poor airline’s entire board of directors was axed because their external auditors said in its audit report it was not able to verify more than R1-bn in accounting adjustments in the 2010/2011 financial year.
Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba sacked the board while spokesman Mayihlone Tshwete said if the management of SA Express are involved in wrongdoing the minister will take steps. Why only them? If the auditors don’t have the figures to work with, get rid of the incompetent sods immediately.
