The Presidency has described as “rumours and gossip” a Sunday Times report which said a standoff between President Jacob Zuma and National Treasury is propelling South African Airways (SAA) towards an “unprecedented crisis”.
The paper said Hong Kong’s registrar of companies has given the airline until September 6 to submit its annual financial statements or face possible deregistration‚ which would mean SAA would no longer be able to fly there.
The airline‚ which has endured scandal after scandal for the better part of the year‚ is unlikely to meet this deadline as a critical R5-billion guarantee from Treasury has yet to be provided.
It is understood that the reason for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s delay by in granting the money is due to a disagreement over who should lead the embattled SAA.
South Africa must free itself from the burden of owning a national airline
The Presidency said in a statement that it “noted media reports alleging a rift between (it) and the National Treasury in relation to providing support to the SAA”.
“The rumours and gossip published in today’s Sunday Times on the matter are false and‚ regrettably‚ The Presidency was not asked for comment by the newspaper‚” it continued.
“The Presidency and the National Treasury are working well together on this issue and are seeking solutions together.”- TMG Digital
No rift‚ Zuma and Treasury working together on SAA: Presidency
The Presidency has described as “rumours and gossip” a Sunday Times report which said a standoff between President Jacob Zuma and National Treasury is propelling South African Airways (SAA) towards an “unprecedented crisis”.
The paper said Hong Kong’s registrar of companies has given the airline until September 6 to submit its annual financial statements or face possible deregistration‚ which would mean SAA would no longer be able to fly there.
The airline‚ which has endured scandal after scandal for the better part of the year‚ is unlikely to meet this deadline as a critical R5-billion guarantee from Treasury has yet to be provided.
It is understood that the reason for Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s delay by in granting the money is due to a disagreement over who should lead the embattled SAA.
South Africa must free itself from the burden of owning a national airline
The Presidency said in a statement that it “noted media reports alleging a rift between (it) and the National Treasury in relation to providing support to the SAA”.
“The rumours and gossip published in today’s Sunday Times on the matter are false and‚ regrettably‚ The Presidency was not asked for comment by the newspaper‚” it continued.
“The Presidency and the National Treasury are working well together on this issue and are seeking solutions together.”- TMG Digital
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