Wednesday,
August 16, 2000
An
Independent Review Panel (IRP) investigation into allegations of fraudulent and
irregular practices made against at least eight pilots, has found that the
allegations could not be substantiated.
"This
follows the Panels finding of contradictory evidence between the person who
made the initial allegation and the person who ostensibly corroborated those
allegations," said Advocate Vince Maleka of the Johannesburg Bar, the
chairperson of the Panel.
"There
was also no support of these allegations from uncontested documentary and oral
evidence considered by the Panel.
"Over
the course of the past six weeks we heared evidence
from 24 witnesses who could in any way shed further light on the allegations
made by the initial author of the allegations.
In light of
the extremely serious nature of the initial allegations and the harmful impact
and negative implication it had on people, pilots and taxpayers funds, the
Panel recommended that the Board of the CAA take immediate disciplinary and
regulatory ste ps against
the two individuals as well as a current employee of the CAA who was found to
have engaged in an unauthorised investigation and
given an instruction to destroy relevant evidence
"The
Panel is satisfied that there is no risk of aviation safety being compromised
in South Africa," said Maleka.
The Panel
also investigated and reported on relevant matters to address organisational issues within the CAA. The IRP report cites
evidence of an undesirable and unacceptable level of distrust between certain
employees and certain senior management resulti ng in a lack of team spirit and unhealthy cultural
division.
"The
Panel found evidence of a reluctance by employees who
were taken over in 1998 from the old Directorate of Civil Aviation - to
co-operate with the new CAA management," said Maleka.
Other issues
reported by the Panel relates to further improvements in the policies,
procedures and systems within the examination and licencing
departments.
The report
concludes that despite these issues, "the CAA had achieved much in the
short period of its existence'
Maleka said
the recommendations made by the IRP was not to be interpreted as a criticism of
the CAA but an attempt to promote its efficiency in regulating and promoting
aviation safety in South Africa.
Issued by:
Advocate Vince Maleka
Chairperson of the IRP
Tel : 011 333 8903
On behalf of:
The Independent Review Panel