DA slams Gordhan's 'nefarious' efforts to keep SAA/Takatso deal secret

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is accusing Public Enterprises minister, Pravin Gordhan of 'nefarious attempts' to shield the SAA/Takatso deal from the public gaze.

A meeting of the Public Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises and the airline was recently held behind closed doors. 

The DA says 'a veil of secrecy' has been drawn over the deal since it was announced the airline could be sold to Takatso, ' an investment company established for the sole purpose of acquiring a controlling stake in SAA'.

This week, the committee was advised by Parliament’s Legal Services (PLS) that parts of the SAA/Takatso deal should be shielded from public scrutiny.

"We view the legal advice received as signifying a blow to parliamentary transparency and accountability."

- Dr Mimmy Gondwe, MP - Democratic Alliance

"Our business is supposed to be conducted in an open and transparent manner."

- Dr Mimmy Gondwe, MP - Democratic Alliance

Gondwe says the advice further provides cover to Pravin Gordhan’s attempts to keep the deal secret.

"He went a step further and requested that we sign a non-disclosure agreement and a lot of us felt that went against our oath as members of parliament."

- Dr Mimmy Gondwe, MP - Democratic Alliance

In light of this new development, the DA says it will not be participating in any further consideration of the SAA/Takatso deal until Parliament opens up such deliberations to the public.

It also wants the SAA/Takatso Share Sale and Purchase Agreement released to the public.

"We felt very strongly the document should be made available to the public, because we are dealing with a state asset...which has received billions in bailout from taxpayers."

- Dr Mimmy Gondwe, MP - Democratic Alliance

Beleaguered SAA was placed under business rescue due to poor financial performance in December 2019 and exited the rescue in April 2021.

It has also received several government bailouts funded by South African taxpayers.