Suggestions that there is mistrust at the top levels at South African Airways (SAA) is an exaggeration of the greatest proportions, SAA spokesperson Tlali Tlali told Fin24 on Sunday.

This is after Sunday Times reported that SAA chairperson Dudu Myeni has allegedly told CFO Wolf Meyer and acting CEO Nico Bezuidenhout that she no longer trusts them.

Meyer apparently used a recording device during a meeting with board members. He confirmed to the newspaper that he had tried to record conversations at a meeting, but insisted he only did this to "protect himself".

"The  discovery of a recording device from the chief financial officer during a meeting with board members is but a single, isolated incident which cannot be used to characterise the nature of the relationship between the board and management at SAA," Tlali told Fin24.  

He explained that the position is that all SAA board meetings are recorded for secretarial and accuracy purposes. There is no outright ban on the use of any recording device by anyone, provided it is declared to all parties, who will then consent to its use.

"The use of the device in this instance took board members by surprise. Even more astonishing was the suggestion that it was intended for the protection of the CFO. The board found this a rather bizarre justification of the CFO’s conduct," said Tlali.

"The board will not speak elaborately on this matter at this stage which must be understood in the context of an employer and employee relationship. It will be handled through internal company processes."

Tlali emphasised that the relationship between the board and acting CEO Nico Bezuidenhout "remains solid, collegial and professional".

"There is no rift between the board  and the acting CEO. Suggestions to the contrary have no basis in fact and are simply malicious. He remains the acting CEO until otherwise advised," said Tlali.

"The appointment of a CEO is a board preserve and the board will apply its mind on who the best person is to act as a CEO at any given time. Such a decision will be informed by the operational needs on the ground in the context of the mandate of the entire SAA Group."

News24.com