SAA CEO still under the radar despite reassurances

The CEO of South African Airways has still not been reinstated despite the board's promises to do so, Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown said yesterday.

Monwabisi Kalawe was appointed CEO in April last year by then public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba.

Brown has since removed six of the board members in a bid to stabilise operations.

SAA board chairman Dudu Myeni, the only board member not fired, suspended Kalawe earlier this month without giving reasons.

Brown yesterday told a media briefing: "I told the board it should not suspend him without due process."

Despite Brown being assured in writing that the suspension had been lifted, Kalawe remains at home.

"The letter from the board was that it had reinstated him and I believed that, but as we speak, the CEO is not in his job," Brown said.

She said she would nevertheless continue working with Myeni despite the board's defiance.

"The chair of SAA and I have to work together. That is not a question up for discussion."

Brown said talks were under way between her department, the board and Kalawe to make sure "there is a fair process happening in SAA around the CEO".

She remained committed to turning around the fortunes of SAA, a project she was driving with Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene.

But there were no more government bailouts for SAA, Brown said.