SAA has confirmed that it had requested an extension to
finalise and present its annual financial statement to Parliament. According to
the airline, Pravin Gordhan, the
Minister of Public Enterprises, made the request on behalf of the shareholders
in a letter to the National Assembly.
The airline has denied reports by City Press that it is considering selling off assets in order to
offset its debt. Spokesperson Tlali
Tlali told eTNW: “SAA has not
decided to sell off any assets. In any event, there are legislative compliance
requirements that must be dispensed with if a sale of assets (as claimed) were
to happen. The requirements include shareholder approval.”
Tlali also denied reports that Treasury was not looking to
extend the airline’s loan guarantees. “Treasury is part of shareholder
(government). The shareholder is the owner of the business (SAA) and is
assisting the company to meet its funding requirements.”
