Gordhan pleads for time to let SAA rescue practitioners find answers
PARLIAMENT – Public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan angered members of Parliament’s watchdog Standing Committee on Public Accounts on Wednesday when he said details of the South African Airways business rescue effort would not be aired until a blueprint for its future was put on the table.
Gordhan pleaded with the committee to accept that it would not make sense for him to disclose details while a way forward for the stricken airline was still being mulled by the business rescue practitioners, who were appointed on December 6 and have until March 6 to table a draft plan.
“The business rescue practitioners have to put forward a plan by that time and as soon as they are ready we will inform you… if the plan is ready and credible, we will inform you,” he said.
The minister faced a barrage of questions, particularly from members of the Economic Freedom Fighters party, who warned that his department and the business rescue practitioners would do well to keep trade unions on their side.
The Labour Court last week dismissed an application by National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and the South African Cabin Crew Association to halt looming job cuts after it was announced that the airline would scrap some loss-making routes.
Source: iol.co.za