MEDIA STATEMENT
South African Civil Aviation Authority CEO steps down
Following two international audits conducted on the South African Civil Aviation industry, a concern was raised about the current separate roles of the Chief Executive Officer of the SACAA and the Commissioner for Civil Aviation. In order to address this concern, the Minister of Transport, Mr Jeff Radebe, has issued a policy directive to the effect that the two positions be merged into one position in accordance with international best practice.
It is for this reason that we announce the stepping down of Mr Zakes Myeza, current CEO of the SACAA, from this position to allow for this restructuring to take place, a decision that was reluctantly accepted by the Board.
In order to avoid any speculation we would like to put it on record that both the decision to restructure the Authority and for the CEO to step down had nothing to do with the recent enforcement actions taken against non-compliant industry players.
This decision is regrettable and comes at the time when the industry has expressed its confidence in the leadership abilities of Mr Myeza. Aviation Watch South Africa’s spokesperson Mr. Paul van Tellingen said in a recent media statement that – major industry players in the general aviation community were of the view that Mr. Myeza had led the way in creating a fertile environment conducive to aviation safety.
It has been a great pleasure working with and getting to know Mr Myeza. SACAA is appreciative of the drastic and revolutionary changes he introduced during his 20 months with the SACAA under trying circumstances. Mr. Myeza joined the SACAA when much had to be achieved in preparing the organisation for several international safety and security audits. His turn around strategy improved the authority’s operational efficiency to deliver on its mandate.
The loss of his decisive leadership and expertise to the SACAA is regretted.
The SACAA through the Board wishes Mr Myeza the best of luck in his future endeavours.
The Board will release the name of Mr. Myeza successor in due course.
END
Released by: Chairman of the Board
Mr. Duke Moroosi
Inquiries: Phindiwe Gwebu
011 545 1086
083 461 6070
[email protected]
