Gordhan: legitimate reasons why details of SAA deal must be confidential

CAPE TOWN - Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said he agrees with parliament’s legal advisor that there was no corruption in the sale of South African Airways (SAA) to a private consortium.

Gordhan briefed the media on Wednesday on the prolonged private equity majority sale of SAA to the Takatso Consortium.

The public enterprises portfolio committee earlier also received a briefing from parliament’s legal advisor Advocate Andile Tetyana, who said he found no instances of malfeasance in the deal.

"You might have heard parliamentary legal advisor earlier on saying he hasn’t picked up any signs of corruption and there isn’t any signs of corruption," said Gordhan.

He said there are legitimate reasons why the details of the deal must be confidential.

"This is a live transaction. It’s in a commercial setting. It’s a setting where there are competitors who use the information. And until the transaction is completed and fully negotiated."