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22/02/2020 05:31:39
Dudu Myeni in the proverbial hot seat: Day 2
On the second day of Dudu Myeni’s testimony in the Delinquent Director case brought against her by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) and the South Africa Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA), Myeni faced cross examination by the plaintiffs’ Advocate Carol Steinberg. Advocate Steinberg asked Ms Myeni why she did not initially attend preceedings. Ms Myeni stated that she felt it unfair that the rest of the board members were still protected by SAA’s board liablity insurance, whilst she was not and that she did not believe it was fair that she was being held personally liable, and not the rest of the SAA board. Ms Myeni also claimed that she was unemployed, despite earning millions while she was chairperson of SAA.
The balance of Ms Myeni’s testimony focused on Ms Myeni’s role in the cancellation of the Airbus swap transaction. Ms Myeni’s versions included the fact that she did not make any decisions alone and that this was an action of the whole board. She also stated that the board supported the idea of an African Aircraft Leasing company even though South African Airways would then be required to pay substantial predelivery payments (PDP’s), which SAA couldn’t afford. The original deal was already approved by the Board and the Minister of Finance.
During the court’s lunch break, Dudu Myeni’s supporters scuffled outside with a member of OUTA and SAAPA’s legal team, after they verbally abused Advocate Carol Steinberg. Advocate Steinberg raised her concern regarding her team’s safety at the preceedings to Judge Ronel Tolmay, who has agreed to arrange additional security in the court from Monday. “We will not tolerate any intimidation or threats from Dudu Myeni’s supporters,” stated Wayne Duvenage, OUTA CEO. “We thank the judge for taking a strong stand against this action, and we will be considering criminal cases against these individuals.”