Ngqula's contract with SAA terminated

SAA has announced the termination of its contract with CEO Khaya Ngqula, who was suspended upon becoming the subject of an inquiry into claims of mismanagement.

By Rod Baker

11 Mar 2009

Khaya Ngqula was placed on ‘special leave' on February 11, 2009, pending the outcome of an investigation into an alleged conflict of interest. The probe was prompted by the award of a R3.5bn catering contract to the Servair consortium, of which Ngqula's wife, Mbali Gasa, is a co-shareholder, while Vusi Sithole, Gasa's co-shareholder in Servair is also allegedly Ngqula's business partner.

According to media reports on March 10, 2009, Ngqula's contract with the national carrier has now been terminated “by mutual consent” but the settlement's terms remain confidential.

Cosatu's Patrick Craven says the union welcomes the recent developments but says that it still wants the investigation into Ngqula's alleged mismanagement to be completed.

Chris Smyth, general manager of operations, had been appointed as acting chief executive officer (CEO) of the airline.

For more:

News24: SAA: Ngqula fired
The Times: Ngqula's wings clipped by SAA

Rod Baker

About Rod Baker

Rod Baker is Content Director at Bizcommunity.com. A journalist since before computers, he worked on a wide range of magazines and, in his youth, rose through the ranks from being a lowly and abused sub-editor, to a high and still abused editor and publisher. He has been editor and publisher of a number of magazines, as well as a newspaper. He has edited many books, and written a number too. Email him at moc.ytinummoczib@dor.