DA calls for Parliamentary inquiry into SAA CEO's appointment
23 November 2014
The acting SAA CEO, Nico Bezuidenhout must immediately be suspended pending the outcome of an inquiry into his appointment to SAA (see Sunday Times report here).
Reports today confirm that Mr Bezuidenhout has mislead SAA and does not hold a BComm degree or an MBA as previously cited on his CV and the SAA annual report. Mr Bezuidenhout has clearly mislead the airline, and therefore his appointment must be set aside.
I will write to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba, requesting her to institute a Parliamentary inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his appointment.
The following questions must be answered:
How is it that Mr Bezuidenhout reached such high office without his qualifications ever being verified by SAA?
Was anyone aware that these qualifications were false?
What actions will be taken to remove Mr Bezuidenhout?
What HR policies are in place to ensure this does not happen again?
The recruitment policies and procedures at SAA also have to be overhauled. Bezuidenhout is the second high ranking staff member, after Chairwoman Dudu Myeni, that has misrepresented their qualifications.
This is an embarrassment to the already-embattled airline. We need stability and competence at SAA to rescue the failing airline.
Mr Bezuidenhout's misrepresentation is indefensible and should be dealt with in a manner that complies with due process. What is even more disconcerting however is the fact that SAA and many other state owned enterprises are creating environments in which such dishonesty can flourish unrestricted.
The time has come for the Minister of Public Enterprise, Lynne Brown, to once and for all clean up the mess at SAA. She must start by suspending Mr Bezuidenhout and finding someone who is fit for purpose, with real qualifications, who is able to lead SAA to financial viability.
Statement issued by Natasha Michael MP, DA Shadow Minister Public Enterprises, November 23 2014
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