Union opposes Gateway Airport’s privatisation

The South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) is disturbed by news that the Provincial Government intends to lease the Polokwane Airport or privatise the Gateway Airports Authority Limited (Gaal) company and vows to mobilise members “to fight against this secret deal.”
Gaal manages the Polokwane International Airport. Paul Nephawe, Satawu Limpopo Provincial Secretary stated in a press release the union was alerted of the Provincial Government’s plans when Gaal acting CEO, Glenda Sengoara, informed employees that a private company, Jet Vision, was in the process of being approved to take over the running of the parastatal for a period of 30 years.
“Satawu is alarmed by the hush-hush manner in which government is handling this matter, not bothering to consult workers or ourselves as the majority union at Gaal. Our main concern is the security of our members’ jobs as privatisation usually means job cuts. We are also worried that a private company will fail to maintain the current salary scales. Besides, Satawu is still waiting for a report on the study commissioned by the provincial government on the institutional governance and functional review of Gaal to allow our members to have insight of the issues raised with government,” Satawu states.
Sengoara rejected the allegations that she has spoken to staff members about the issue. ”The allegations are baseless and derived of any truth.”
Nephawe said they reject any attempt to lease or privatise Gaal for whatever reason. “We believe that Gaal is an important parastatal in our province which government must continue to hold in the economic interest and on behalf of the people of Limpopo.” The union called upon Premier Stan Mathabatha to urgently stop the process of leasing or privatising the company.
Satawu also made allegations of corruption at Gaal regarding the following of tender procedures or procurement legislation and the appointment of a senior official “in a position not provided for on the organogram” and for which the correct procedures were not followed.
“We therefore demand that the MEC of Transport, Safety and Liaison Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana, along with the government of Limpopo and the board of GAAL stop all the outsourcing of GAAL management and urgently institute an investigation into the above allegations,” Nephawe said.
In a reply received from Gaal Executive Manager of Marketing and Public Relations Oupa Mamabolo, he said the management of Gaal fully understands and appreciates the union’s dire concern as it has merit. He said the management will accordingly monitor developments around this matter and continue to engage both the entity’s shareholders and the leadership of the union in order to find an amicable solution. He assured stakeholders and employees that management is doing all to create a climate conducive for all to enjoy the services rendered by the airport.
He said Satawu should not be distressed by allegations regarding corruption made against Gaal, as the entity is a Schedule 3D entity expected to generate profit, is highly regulated and governed by the requirements of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and strictly follow proper supply chain procurement processes.
Provincial Government Spokesperson Phuti Seloba said there will be more engagement with Satawu as the workers are very important. “We want what is best for the province and looked at various models. The airport must become self-reliant and be turned around into a business model that can stand on its own, not being reliant on government any more. People fear the unknown, but there is no crisis.”

Story: NELIE ERASMUS
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