Workers and Union of airline SA Express frustrated with liquidators

• The liquidators of troubled regional airline SA Express should accept a rescue bid – before it is too late.

This is the urgent appeal by FLY SAX SA, a staff-led consortium that successfully bid to rescue the airline and is supported by the South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA).

Venture capital experts Global Impact Investments are in charge of securing the funding for the rescue offer.

However, four years since the troubles began at SA Express, there is still no sign that the liquidators are willing to move ahead and accept the rescue offer.

“It seems there has been a deliberate attempt to frustrate and prolong the process until such time that there is nothing to salvage from SA Express, which would see the airline going into final liquidation,’” said Thabisile Sikakane, FLY SAX SA Group Representative.

“FLY SAX SA has been working tirelessly to stave off final liquidation, and our team is ready to salvage whatever is left of SA Express and resuscitate it before it completely loses its routes and operating licence.”

She said that the rescue would give a new future to the airline’s former employees, who have been left destitute, without any assurance that what is still owed to them will be paid over when the liquidation process is finalised.

When the airline was put under provisional liquidation, the group of workers led this new initiative to try to rescue it. The group was given preferred bidder status after putting in a viable proposal to the liquidators.

“A lot of work has since been done to secure a trustworthy financial partner, which we achieved when Global Impact Investments agreed to help with the fundraising,” said Sikakane.

“Our new bid was submitted to the liquidators and the requested amount was paid into the liquidators’ account.

“It has since been a battle to get any tangible feedback from the liquidators regarding our offer, which represents the best hope to get this vital regional airline back in operation.”

“Our team has shown commitment to the process and we are calling for the offer to be accepted and for the Department of Public Enterprise to approve the sale.”

Sikakane said that the bidders have complied with all the liquidators’ requirements while securing a credible investor that is committed to working with them to take SA Express back into the skies.

“There is no time to lose,” she said.

“The liquidators, who continue to draw expensive fees, have a duty to the people of South Africa to help preserve and restore this vital business,” said SACCA President Zazi Nsibanyoni Mugambi.

“It would be a major dereliction of duty if they continue to drag their feet, leading to the final collapse of such an important and valuable national asset.”

“Workers have paid the highest price for corruption at SA Express. Their only hope is to put an end to this painful liquidation process and give these employees a chance to regain their dignity.

FLY SAX SA should be allowed an opportunity to resuscitate this airline,” said Nsibanyoni-Mugambi