JOHANNESBURG, South Africa: Airline hits turbulence

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AFP) — The chief executive of South Africa's embattled national airline and two senior managers quit their jobs Monday, a week after the chairwoman and seven board members walked out, the company said.

South African Airways (SAA) would not divulge the reason for CEO Siza Mzimela's resignation.

"The airline views these resignations as a turbulence of a temporary nature which must not be allowed to affect its ability to discharge its core function in a responsible and prudent manner," said a statement.

Mzimela joined the company in 2010, after the removal of former chief Khaya Ngqula, who was investigated for financial mismanagement.

In a letter to her staff, seen by local radio station 702, Mzimela said her resignation was not "a random move".

She said: "I have given this decision careful thought and feel that now is the best time to relinquish my position as your CEO and allow somebody else to pilot the company into future."

The two general managers who tendered their resignations are Theunis Potgieter and Sandra Cotzee.

The ailing airline, which was last week granted a $600-million cash backstop by the government to stay afloat, is expected to post a $149-million loss this year, according to the Business Day daily.

The release of the airline's financial results had been delayed.

Former chairwoman, Cheryl Carolus attributed her resignation to a breakdown in the relationship with the government, the airline's main shareholder.

The government announced her replacement and that of the board members on the same day after her resignation.

The newly appointed chairman Vuyisile Kona will handle the running of the airline until a new CEO is found.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com