Govt won't release shortlist of unsuccessful SAA bidders due to 'confidentiality' issues

The shortlist of potential strategic equity partners for SAA cannot be made public due to confidentiality agreements, according to the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE).

The department on Friday announced the successful bidder: Takatso Consortium, comprising the investment group Harith and Global Airways, which runs an aircraft "wet" lease business and also owns low-cost airline LIFT, which started operations in December last year. As part of the deal, which is still subject to due diligence, the DPE will dilute its shareholding in the airline to 49%, and assign 51% to the consortium.