Zondo Report: Zuma’s relationship with Myeni corrupted SAA
The State Capture
Commission of inquiry has found that under the leadership of former South
African Airways (SAA) chairperson, Dudu Myeni, the airline was corrupt.
The findings are contained in the commission's first report, released by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday after it was handed over to him by the acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
“SAA declined during the tenure of Ms. Myeni to an entity racked by corruption and fraud. Despite this, she was retained as its chairperson, well beyond the point at which she should have been removed,” the report says
The commission notes that Myeni’s activities were perpetrated by her relationship with former President Jacob Zuma.
“Two successive ministers have explained to the commission that this was because of the personal preferences of former President Jacob Zuma. This was the antithesis of accountability,” the report reads.
In the report, Zondo accuses Zuma of fleeing the commission and not wanting to answer questions that he was not going to be able to answer.
“He could not have justified his insistence that Ms. Myeni be retained at SAA, nor could he have credibly denied that minister Pravin Gordhan and former Minister Nhlanhla Nene’s evidence that he wanted Ms. Myeni retained at SAA,” Zondo adds.
He added that Myeni and another former SAA chairperson Yakhe Kwinana must be declared delinquent directors.
Myeni has already been declared a delinquent director.
The report recommends that both Myeni and Kwinana be investigated for fraud and corruption alongside other role players who benefited from corrupt schemes at the national carrier.
