Departments working hard under IMC guidance on SAA: DPE

In line with the directive of Cabinet for the DPE and National Treasury to mobilise funds for the new SAA, the DPE said the two departments have been working hard under the guidance of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on SAA.

The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) says efforts to finalise the South African Airways (SAA) business rescue process and the restructuring of the airline are ongoing, and a decision on the sources of funding will be announced soon.

In line with the directive of Cabinet for the DPE and National Treasury to mobilise funds for the new SAA, the DPE said the two departments have been working hard under the guidance of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on SAA.

The IMC is entrusted with the responsibility of oversight of the restructuring process.

The DPE also welcomed the decision of the Business Rescue Practitioners (BRPs) to keep the creditors informed about the process and the likelihood of a meeting of the creditors' committee.

This is in accordance with their fiducial responsibility to the creditors to inform them of the progress with the business rescue process and source the creditors’ consent on the way forward.

The department said it remains confident that a solution will be found in time to avoid liquidation of SAA, as per the 26 July 2020 Cabinet statement.

“DPE, with the transaction advisor Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), continues to assess the unsolicited expressions of interest for the new SAA from the private sector funders, equity investors and strategic partners.

“A number of engagements have been undertaken with the potential partners and the interest is encouraging that a suitable long-term investor will be found to enable the relaunch of the airline and its subsidiary businesses and divisions,” the department said.

The department said it believes that the restructuring process, which is contained in the SAA Business Rescue Plan, is fundamental and will “create a solid base for the emergence of a competitive, viable and sustainable national airline for the Republic of South Africa”.

(With Inputs from South African Government Press Release)