The State Capture Commission will continue with its hearings in Johannesburg on Saturday with former Board member of South African Airways (SAA), Yakhe Kwinana, appearing again. The decision to hear testimony on a weekend was due to delays earlier in the week.
Kwinana testified earlier in the week on her trip to AAR Aviation’s Chicago headquarters in the US while the company was bidding for a SAA Technical contract.
JM aviation and AAR were awarded a R1.2 billion contract by SAA Technical to supply aircraft components in 2016. The contract is alleged to have been approved irregularly.
Earlier in the week, Kwinana denied attending a meeting where she tried to force two senior executives to sign an unlawful policy for black businesses at SAA. The 30% set aside policy was directed to those who had BEE partners from the contractors.
The policy got resistance from National Treasury and the Department of Trade and Industry because it was unlawful and inconsistent in procurement policy and legislation.
Despite this, it is alleged Kwinana and former SAA Board Chair Dudu Myeni continued to implement the policy despite being cautioned not to do so by then Chief Procurement Officer, Dr Masimba Dahwa.
Kwinana claims there were no concerns regarding the 30% set aside implementation and neither was guidance given.
She also denied having a negative feeling towards Dr Dahwa:
LSG Sky Chefs contract
Kwinana also told the Commission that cancelling the German-based LSG Sky Chefs contract with the airline in 2015 was the best decision she ever made for the national carrier.
She said in 2015 SAA subsidiary Air Chefs was going to retrench people, hence they took a decision against working with LSG Sky Chefs.
Kwinana’s testimony on approving Airchefs contract:
– Additional reporting by Amina Accram
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