Sorry WW - more than just a rumour - from the horse's mouth (although can't tell which horse!).
Also heard from a high-placed source that the SACAA's status may be downgraded if they don't comply with a whole host of issues that ICAO addressed with them - if this happens it means that SA Airlines will not be able to fly to the US anymore (amongst other places).
Industry will have to stand up and force DoT to sort CAA out.... otherwise there's going to be tough times ahead for all of us.