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For Thanks Mkhwanazi 
17h ago
Johannesburg – The Department of Public Enterprises struck back at the pilots’ association after the latter accused it of spending money on a flight to buy vaccines in Belgium.
The South African Pilots Association (Saapa) had said this week that the flight would cost around R5 million. He said that instead of using an empty SAA flight to Brussels to search for the vaccines, the government should have loaded the vaccines on a commercial flight, which was going to be cheaper.
But on Friday the department responded to Saapa and said he was dishonest and wanted to hold the government hostage.
“This flight was also a test relaunch of SAA Cargo’s business. Many airlines around the world, including Lufthansa and Ethiopian, have stepped up their cargo businesses, while passenger loads dropped dramatically, to generate revenue. There will be many such flights by SAA in the coming months. This will also include the transportation of vaccines from manufacturers to African countries in the coming months, ”the department said in a statement.
“For many years, SAA has shown that the cargo business has merit and value to serve the interests of customers and the economic development of the country. The flight to Brussels to bring back the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is proof that a restructured and well-managed airline operated in a professional and sustainable manner can support key economic sectors including travel, tourism and even cargo to solidify South Africa as an African gateway to international markets, ”the department said.
He added that the relaunch of the cargo business would elevate the airline and increase the volumes of these flights. This would generate much needed income in the business. The department said Saapa was raising the issue of flight costs because it was happening without its members.
“Saapa has done everything possible to discredit the start of flights at SAA because it is happening without its members. Now they are raising a new charge about the financial viability of the flight. All this is being done to protect the extortionist regulatory agreement, which ensured that the pilots who make up 11% of the SAA staff get a whopping 65% of the salary, and certain strategic decisions in the airline could not be taken without their consent “said .
“For DPE and SAA business rescue professionals, the agreement is illegal because it slows down transformation and does not allow progress for black pilots as designated in the Employment Fairness Act.
“By providing this kind of unwarranted attack on SAA Cargo, this minority pilot group is holding SAA hostage and trying to destroy the very employer that could provide them with their continuation of their professional practice for years to come. It is shortsighted and self-destructive, ”the department added.
[email protected]Political Bureau
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