Article by: Dumisane Dube
Mango Airlines, the low-cost arm of state-owned South African Airways (SAA), has been granted an extension to appoint a business rescue practitioner pending the outcome of a court application by unions.
The application is being pursued by the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA), the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), and the Mango Pilots’ Association (MPA).
Mango flights were grounded in April due to the non-payment of fees to Airports Company South Africa.
According to the interim chief executive, Thomas Kgokolo some Mango employees have not been paid for months.
SACCA President Zazi Nsibanyoni-Mugambi says Mango needs to keep the jobs that can possibly be lost if it no longer exists
Mango management also wants the airline to be placed under Business Rescue. But the two sides disagree on how it should be done and who the Business Rescue Practitioner should be.
“The judge was saying is that he is giving parties time to file a further affidavit so he can properly consider the case. The other issue is around the CPIC granting an extension should Mango’s application be successful. So he will hear the case on Friday and it will be before just one judge,” said Nsibanyoni.
She says the South African Airways business rescue process took a long time and they do not want the same thing at Mango.
A ruling is expected next week.
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