Resignation of SAA CEO Mr Monwabisi Kalawe

During arbitration proceedings in the Labour Court of South Africa on 17 April, it was mutually decided that Mr Monwabisi Kalawe would not seek to continue employment at SAA.  

Johannesburg - 24 April 2015: The urgent application launched by Mr Kalawe in the Labour Court of South Africa in respect of two alleged protected disclosures and referred to arbitration before Advocate Nazeer Cassim SC (who is also the disciplinary chairperson) was argued by the parties’ legal representatives on Friday 17 April 2015.  

During the arbitration proceedings, both parties agreed that the employment relationship between Mr Kalawe and SAA had irretrievably broken down and that Mr Kalawe would not seek to continue employment at SAA.  

Adv. Cassim SC strongly urged both SAA and Mr Kalawe to mutually agree and resolve the terms of Mr Kalawe’s departure from SAA to avoid the costs and damage associated with protracted legal proceedings to both parties, and to protect the best interests of SAA as a Public Institution.  

The parties have now agreed that Mr Kalawe will resign his position as the CEO and as a director of SAA with immediate effect, thus rendering further disciplinary proceedings unnecessary.  Mr Kalawe will receive a payment from SAA in lieu of his contractual three months’ notice and outstanding leave pay up to the termination date.  He will, in addition, receive an ex gratia payment equivalent to an additional three months’ notice in return for agreeing to give his notice of resignation with immediate effect.  

The parties believe that this resolution avoids further expensive and protracted litigation and that the decision made is ultimately in the best interests of both parties, as well as in the best interests of the public. This settlement will enable SAA to focus its full attention on the operational challenges facing SAA. The parties have agreed that they will issue no further media releases concerning the settlement of the matter.    

For enquiries:

Tlali Tlali | Spokesperson (Manager: Media Relations) | Office of the CEO Mobile: +2782 333 3880 Phone: +2711-978-2298   Fax: +2711 978-3743  E-Mail: TlaliTlali@flysaa.com