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Dudu Myeni wanted to ‘fly pals in style’ on SAA, at a yearly loss of R200m

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SAA chairperson Dudu Myeni
SAA chairperson Dudu Myeni

Dudu Myeni, controversial SAA chairperson, wanted to instate a direct flight route between Cape Town and Durban at a huge loss of R200 million a year so that ANC MPs from KwaZulu-Natal could travel in style. 

She was allegedly so determined to make this route a reality that she submitted her plan directly to the treasury without the knowledge of SAA’s executive committee and the group executive committee – after both these committees rejected her proposal. 

This revelation comes after the Mail & Guardian reported today that Myeni asked the treasury for a new route to Khartoum in Sudan on request of President Jacob Zuma. 

According to the newspaper, she told the SAA executives that Zuma wanted to show support to “his brother”, the controversial Sudan president Omar al-Bashir. 

According to SAA dignitaries with first-hand knowledge of the events, last year – during the same period Myeni made the Khartoum proposal – she submitted her plan for a direct route between Durban and Cape Town in the interest of ANC MPs who commuted weekly between the two cities. 

Mango and SA Express fly directly between the two cities, but Myeni allegedly said that her ANC friends in KwaZulu-Natal wanted to fly SAA because these airlines did not have a business-class option. 

“It was explained to her that it would mean a loss of R200 million a year for SAA,” said an SAA source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation. 

“Exco said: ‘Listen, what we can do is introduce business class on Mango and then everybody is happy.’ But she wasn’t satisfied. She was willing to spend R200 million a year to fly her friends from the ANC to Parliament on Mondays and back on Fridays.” 

When Myeni did not get her way, she apparently wrote to the treasury for approval. The treasury, which was then headed by Nhlanhla Nene, former finance minister, rejected the proposal. 

“Nene responded and said it does not make any financial sense,” the source said. 

Nene’s cellphone was off today, and the treasury did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

The Mail & Guardian reported that Nene also said no to the Khartoum route. The route would reportedly mean a loss of R30 million in the first two years. 

Myeni allegedly said the request stemmed from conversations between her and Zuma, who asked for the route as a an apparent show of respect for al-Bashir. 

Two reliable sources confirmed the incident to Media24. 

Myeni apparently also wrote to the treasury after the SAA’s executive committee and group executive committee rejected her request. 

“The numbers showed SAA would make a huge loss,” said the source. 

“Exco advised not to fly to Khartoum because there would be loss-making and a second reason was that it was too dangerous. Sudan is a war zone. Insurance companies would not let our aircraft fly there. Even if it was an incredible business opportunity, it would not be possible, but she [Myeni] didn’t want to hear it.” 

Myeni was apparently very upset and accused the executive committee of teaming up with the treasury to scupper her plans. 

“She said SAA belongs to the state, the state belongs to the president and therefore SAA has to listen to the president.” 

SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali didn’t answer questions about Myeni approaching the treasury after the proposal was rejected by the SAA executive committee and the group executive committee. 

However, he confirmed that the possibility of a route between the two cities was being considered by the SAA’s executive committee. 

“At this stage the executives have been evaluating the viability of the route and they will follow the laid down procedure and process.”

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