Pprune in the papers again
Lawsuit threat after air school cleared
Lawsuit threat after air school cleared
June 20, 2004
By Juggie Naran
South African Airways has cleared the school which trains its cadets of any irregularities. However, a former trainee has threatened to lodge a R100 000 defamation lawsuit against the school's director.
This follows complaints of intolerance and poor facilities at 43 Air School, near Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape, which is contracted to SAA as a pilot training centre.
A former student, Neshav Nirmal of Durban, recently wrote a letter to the Tribune Herald outlining his grievances. He was joined by other former cadets, who complained of poor treatment and racism.
However, other readers and 43 Air School's director, Steve Goodrick, defended the school.
Durban lawyer Himal Tugh, acting on behalf of Nirmal, sent Goodrick correspondence on Friday last week, saying he had seven days to publicly apologise to Nirmal or face a defamation action for R100 000.
He said the action stemmed from a letter sent by Goodrick and published in the Tribune Herald which "humiliated and degraded" his client.
Rumour
A website,
www.pprune.org, which has a "professional pilots rumour network", highlights the letters by Nirmal and Goodrick which appeared in the Tribune Herald.
It also features comments from readers of the website, describing Nirmal as a "wimp", "Mr Cry Baby" and a "fool".
SAA issued a statement this week clearing 43 Air School of any irregularities.
Rich Mkondo, Communications Director for SAA, said the airline had investigated the complaints and interviewed students at 43 Air School.
"Most of the issues mentioned had already been addressed and dealt with. There is positive feedback from 98% of the students. The airline is satisfied that the school is functioning well and students are happy with their studies."
Regarding the allegation of racism, Mkondo said: "All these allegations were investigated and Mr Goodrick was cleared of any bias or racism. SAA found no truth to any of the complaints or criticisms levelled against the school.
"As part of the investigation, three senior SAA executives visited the school without notice and unannounced."
For example, he said, the executives found the food to be good and no unhygienic conditions.