CAA head in hot water again
2002-12-06 07:58
Johannesburg - Civil Aviation Authority chief executive Trevor Abrahams was placed on indefinite compulsory leave of absence on Thursday after allegations of misconduct and impropriety were made against him.
CAA spokesman Trevor Davids said he would be able to divulge the details of the allegations only once a forensic report into the matter had been completed.
He said the CAA's board of directors, which decided to place Abrahams on compulsory leave, issued a directive that the report be completed soon.
This action was taken to allow a forensic audit to probe the allegations that had been brought to the board's attention.
The board said in a statement it was not passing judgment nor fuelling accusations, but merely paving the way for a speedy and fair investigation into the allegations.
Zukile Nomvete, acting chair of the board, said: "The CAA is committed to the highest form of integrity and, given the position involved and the seriousness of the allegations, wish to follow a transparent and just process in getting to the bottom of the allegations.
"An independent investigation into the allegations will be launched and we will support its outcome."
Pilots' licence scam
The Mail & Guardian weekly newspaper reported last week that Abrahams shared a private events-management company with his fiancée. It said the company had tendered for, and benefited from CAA contracts.
In June 2000, Abrahams was suspended as CEO of the CAA after being arrested on charges relating to a pilots licence scam.
A whistle-blower in the case alleged that some pilots were buying exam papers for their Airline Transport Pilot licences. Abrahams was alleged to have known about the matter and done nothing about it.
However, in March 2001, Abrahams was reinstated as CEO after the State withdrew its charges of fraud, corruption, obstruction of justice and contravention of the Aviation Act.
At the time, the office of the national director of public prosecutions said the charges were withdrawn after it had been found it might not be in the public interest to prosecute Abrahams. It was found that there was not enough evidence in the State's case to warrant a trial.
During the trial, an independent review panel was set up to investigate the allegations.
It found that Abrahams' South African private pilot's licence included an instrument rating which was issued irregularly. He had undergone the flight test, but not the theoretical examination required.
Was not reprimanded
Abrahams had allegedly once undertaken a flight for which an instrument rating was required before the irregularity was corrected.
It was recommended the CAA board should reprimand Abrahams or take steps it deemed necessary against him. At the time, the board said it would await the outcome of the court case.
After the charges were withdrawn, the board unanimously took a decision not to reprimand nor take disciplinary action against Abrahams.
Davids said on Thursday Abrahams would still perform his duties as commissioner of the CAA. The commissioner oversees the aviation regulations.
Captain Sakhile Nyoni, who is the general manager of flight operations at the CAA, has been appointed acting CEO.
- SAPA