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Following the tabling in Parliament of the Auditor General's qualified audit and scathing findings on SAA and its financials, OUTA believes it is time for government to dispose of SAA.

"The AG has made it clear that SAA is not financially fit to be declared as a going concern. It will once again require a multi-billion rand bail out by National Treasury. We find this unacceptable," says Rudie Heyneke, OUTA's Portfolio Manager for Transport.

"The airline has become a burden to the taxpayer and offers no value to the nation, other than a display of the South African flag on the tail of each aircraft."

Governments should not be in the business of business, particularly in the highly competitive space of airlines, where SAA will never be able to compete in its current structure.

Former SAA board chair Dudu Myeni should be held accountable for the decline and trashing of the airline under her watch, resulting in lost talent.

OUTA calls on the state to introduce a full inquiry into the airline's viability, processes and corruption, with the view to holding past leadership to account for their delinquent conduct, maladministration and corruption, says Heyneke.

OUTA is a proudly South African non-profit civil action organisation, comprising of and supported by people who are passionate about holding government accountable and improving the prosperity of South Africa.

Issued by OUTA