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Go
Wednesday 06 May 2020 | 05:41pm

LIVE BLOG: Eskom reliability maintenance to resume on 1 June 2020

Minister Pravin Gordhan is expected to face a barrage of queries about SAA after the government said it intended to create a new state airline that was “financially viable”.

WATCH LIVE: Minister Pravin Gordhan briefs MPs on SAA, other SOEs

Full Article
Highlights

EFF MP scathing on Gordhan saying she doesn't understand why he agreed to be minister if he doesn't answer question... "Will SAA be privatised?" 

Another qustion is asked on whether Eskom will keep the lights on.

The MPs are now getting confused as to who must speak first. Who is recognised first? 

MP Bibi asks if the department considered downgrading some of the SOEs from schedule 2 to schedule 3 to avoid bankruptcy. 

"How did we manage to keep the lights on suddenly?" AN MP asks about Eskom...

"Are there any private companies that will be interested in SAA and where will that money come from?" Gordhan is asked.

Question is posed about the new SAA... 

Gordhan will now take questions from the MPs

Gordhan hands over to Transnet CEO Portia Derby but is asked to be brief so that MPs can ask question from 19:30.

The minister says he will address challenges at Transnet and what the global picture is of good moving around...

Back to Gordhan, he moves the briefing to Transnet and starts with welcoming the new CEO.

Du Ruyter says thank you Mzansi for switching off non-essential appliances during the lockdown.

Eskom will kick off on 1 June 2020 operations.

"We're bringing in skills from outside to help us. Retired Eskom technicians will work for free to help us..." He says. 

Du Ruyter says they don't anticipate load shedding. 

Eskom's CEO Andre du Ruyter now briefs MPs on Eskom's capacity and maintanence. 

Gordhan ends SAA discussion and moves on to Eskom.

The minister says SAA is still in business rescue and has potential to transition into something new.

"Mango has agreed to take a 50% pay cut." Gordhan says.

Technology! Minister was muted.

We're back.

The minister refers to the curt case abut SAA's business rescue or lack thereof. 

Not every employee will be employed at the new airline, Gordhan says.

"The old SAA will not exist in the future. This is because of the competition model." He says.

The minister says they are looking at a new airline.

Gordhan says he will meet with stakeholders to see if they can't find money so the airliner can continue to fly after 8 May.

Unless the government or SAA can find the money, all flights will stop on 8 May

Gordhan says all flights will stop on 8 May (repatriation).

The minister also refers to the global picture, painting how bad it is throughout the world because of COVID-19.

"If you have the cash, now would be the perfect time to invest in re-fleeting..." Gordhan 

Gordhan says social distancing will be a problem when flying. He says flying will become more expensive because of this.

"It will take a very long time before the industry recovers." Gordhan says

The minister is presenting a powerpoint slideshow...

Gordhan asks why a national airline is needed and he says repatriation. "We picked up students in Wuhan... Those repatriations will continue this week to collect South Africans who are stranded." He adds.

The minister says it will take a while for SAA to recover.

Gordhan now talks about the effects of COVID-19 on travel. "Global situation, major airlines have been grounded." He says

Gordhan says he will look at SAA, Eskom and Transnet. 

We begin...

The minister's briefing will begin shortly...

The coronavirus has hit and affected everyone, everything and every sector you can think of! 
The COVID-19 lockdown has hit the aviation industry hard, with private, and to date, profitable company Comair going into business rescue on Tuesday.

Committee members are likely to have many questions for Gordhan about SAA. At issue is where the funding for a new airline will come from and the role that the state will play.



Well, Gordhan is due to brief a joint virtual meeting of Parliament’s committees charged with oversight of Public Enterprises on all SOEs.

Alright, what about SOEs?

A South Africa Airlines (SAA) flight.

On Monday, Treasury Director-General Dondo Mogajane said he supported the move to dispose of SAA but the aviation sector must be kept alive with a new airline.

When I say SOE, you say SAA! SOE? SAA!

Okay seriously, SAA is among the most troubled SOEs in the country. It's in debt (understatement)  and there have been reports of a new airline...

So what do we know thus far?

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan is expected to give an update on developments in SOEs including South African Airways (SAA)...

Hello and welcome to EWN's live blog about developments at state owned enterprises, also referred to as SOEs.

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