About R1,8-million - that's how much money must change hands before the two South Africans held up in Equatorial Guinea can return home safely.
It is almost two weeks since Global Aviation Leasing (GAL) cabin crew members Ruwayda Kalbine and Sechan Pillay had their passports confiscated and have been left stranded in Equatorial Guinea.
According to GAL chief executive Daniel Rosenzweig, if payment of R1 817 600 could be made, his crew members would be released. "It is understood from communications with the department of foreign affairs that Venatto owes (Guinean Airliner) Getra (Guinea Ecuatorial de Transportes Aereos) a refund of $284 000," Rosenzweig said on Thursday. But he denied knowledge of details of the transaction.
He said his company had nothing to do with the deal and his crew members did not have to be held up in that country.
According to Rosenzweig, GAL entered into a contract with Venatto Trading - signed through an agreement with Air Quarius - to fly one of its aircraft. Venatto was then contracted to fly goods for Getra between the country's island capital Malabo, Bata on the mainland, and Douala in neighbouring Cameroon.
"This commercial arrangement, whereby the lessor of the aircraft supplies aircraft services through a broker to a third party, is not uncommon in the aviation world," he said.
Rosenzweig confirmed earlier reports that Getra had asked the airport commissioner to confiscate the crew members' passports and was using them as "negotiating chips" to get the money owed.
Venatto's director Mike Commarmond, who was earlier quoted as having said if GLA wanted their crew back they should "go and get them", could not be reached for comment. Executive director Didier Pereira, who refused to comment, said Commarmond was overseas.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nomfundo Kota said yesterday that negotiations were at an advanced stage to have Kalbine and Pillay returned safely to SA, but refused to comment on the commercial dispute.
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