13 April
2000
On 10 March
2000, the CAA received a letter from SAA alleging that three SAA pilots had
obtained their Air Transport Pilot (ATP) licences
fraudulently by having access to the examination question papers, which they
had bought from certain CAA employees and subsequently sat.
After some
initial inquiries by Victoria Buxton, general manager: air safety operations of
the CAA, an affidavit was finally obtained from the person who alleged the
fraudulent activities.
The two CAA
employees who were implicated in the affidavit were subsequently interviewed as
part of the investigation. A further interview was arranged by Mr. KC Maroebela, the CAA's legal manager who has been appointed
as the investigating officer, with t he party who made the original allegations
on 3 April 2000 to clarify certain allegations.
Currently
the CAA is in the process of arranging interviews with the pilots implicated
and others who may shed light on this issue.
The CAA
views these allegations in a very serious light and hopes to conclude the
investigation as soon as possible
Once
investigations are complete, a report with recommendations will be furnished to
Trevor Abrahams, the Commissioner of Civil Aviation, to consider and take
appropriate measures in the interest of aviation safety. Any relevant
information will also be shared with the operators concerned.
Furthermore
following an open and forthright discussion during a meeting on 30 March 2000
CAA and ALPS-SA representatives present signed a joint letter stating that the
circumstances surrounding the CEO of the CAA's flying incident at Rand Airport
in July 1999, had been clarified and that ALPA-SA's queries relating to this
incident had been fully resolved. They further agreed that procedures employed
by the CEO and the CAA subsequent to this incident were in accordance with
standard CAA policy. A copy of the signed letter is
attached for your information.
Enquiries:
Jackie Mfeka
Manager: Communications
012-426 0183 or 083 635 0019
13 April 2000
