Finger-pointing to white pilots at SAA amazes
7 December 2015
It is extremely irresponsible and worrying that all white pilots of SAA are now being placed under suspicion by accusing them of sabotage, Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus’ parliamentary spokesperson on Transport says.
According to media reports, Mr. John Harty, the chairperson of the SAA pilots association was questioned by the Hawks about, amongst others, an alleged plot to bring down a flight piloted by a black pilot.
According to the reports, Harty said he had even been asked whether he knew what treason meant.
This followed shortly after comments of the SAA’s board chairperson, Ms. Dudu Myeni, that information which is being leaked from the board to the media, is racially motivated. She also confirmed that the Hawks were conducting an investigation that ran further than just the financial problems at the airline.
Recently Myeni also launched an attack on white pilots in Parliament by stating that they were racist and over-paid.
Harty and the pilots association thereafter held a meeting where a motion of no-confidence in Myeni was adopted.
Adv. Alberts says it is clear that Myeni is acting very irresponsibly and is causing tremendous racial tension in particular in the ranks of pilots at the SAA.
“These allegations cannot remain untested in the air like a sword over the heads of white pilots. These people work in an environment where they are responsible for the lives of hundreds of passengers, and they cannot be subjected to these unnecessary pressures.
“The minister will have to intervene immediately and whoever has made these allegations, will have to produce evidence or the allegations must be withdrawn.
“The racist comments of Myeni can also no longer be tolerated. Her comments follow the well-known pattern of blame being placed on white people to detract from the failures of the state and state institutions, such as the SAA,” Adv. Alberts says.
Statement issued by Adv. Anton Alberts, FF Plus parliamentary spokesperson: Transport, 7 November 2015
