Dudu Myeni tells court SAA was looking into local leasing
Former South African Airways board chairperson Dudu Myeni has been accused of being grossly negligent and reckless during her tenure at the airline.
Myeni is on the stand for the fourth day in her delinquency case being heard in the High Court in Pretoria.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse and the SAA Pilots Association want her to be declared a delinquent director.
They say she's responsible for SAA's financial crisis.
READ: I am being targeted, Dudu Myeni tells court
Myeni delayed signing off on a deal with Airbus to buy aircraft from the manufacturer - and swap some old models for new ones.
The deal had been approved by then finance minister Nhlanhla Nene.
The court was provided with a letter signed by Myeni - in which she tells Nene there was no rush to sign the swap deal.
SAA is said to have paid millions in late delivery fees.
Myeni told the court the board was buying time to look into a local leasing company to bring on board.
"The proposal that was put on the table was as a result of ongoing discussions and requests by the board because the board does not prepare business cases. The board relies on the executives to execute any decision that the board had taken."
"Therefore, I am saying; it was my understanding at the time given the discussions that the board had had with Airbus and the ongoing negotiations."
