Sa Caa Ceo Suspended!
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Sa Caa Ceo Suspended!
Just heard that Trevor Abrahams, SA CAA CEO, has been suspended and sent on compulsory leave pending some or other forensic enquiry! I believe the decision was made by the CAA's Board yesterday.
Any more info on this? Apparently he will continue in his capacity as Commissioner for Civil Aviation!
Any more info on this? Apparently he will continue in his capacity as Commissioner for Civil Aviation!
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JA BOET WAT SAL 'N MAN NOU Sê
FROM NEWS24.COM
Aviation head Abrahams
facing more turbulance
"Johannesburg - Civil Aviation Authority chief executive Trevor Abrahams was placed on indefinite compulsory leave of absence on Thursday after allegations of misconduct and impropriety were made against him.
CAA spokesman Trevor Davids said he would be able to divulge the details of the allegations only once a forensic report into the matter had been completed.
He said the CAA's board of directors, which decided to place Abrahams on compulsory leave, issued a directive that the report be completed soon.
This action was taken to allow a forensic audit to probe the allegations that had been brought to the board's attention.
The board said in a statement it was not passing judgment nor fuelling accusations, but merely paving the way for a speedy and fair investigation into the allegations.
Zukile Nomvete, acting chair of the board, said: "The CAA is committed to the highest form of integrity and, given the position involved and the seriousness of the allegations, wish to follow a transparent and just process in getting to the bottom of the allegations.
"An independent investigation into the allegations will be launched and we will support its outcome."
Pilots' licence scam
The Mail & Guardian weekly newspaper reported last week that Abrahams shared a private events-management company with his fiancée. It said the company had tendered for, and benefited from CAA contracts.
In June 2000, Abrahams was suspended as CEO of the CAA after being arrested on charges relating to a pilots licence scam.
A whistle-blower in the case alleged that some pilots were buying exam papers for their Airline Transport Pilot licences. Abrahams was alleged to have known about the matter and done nothing about it.
However, in March 2001, Abrahams was reinstated as CEO after the State withdrew its charges of fraud, corruption, obstruction of justice and contravention of the Aviation Act.
At the time, the office of the national director of public prosecutions said the charges were withdrawn after it had been found it might not be in the public interest to prosecute Abrahams. It was found that there was not enough evidence in the State's case to warrant a trial.
During the trial, an independent review panel was set up to investigate the allegations.
It found that Abrahams' South African private pilot's licence included an instrument rating which was issued irregularly. He had undergone the flight test, but not the theoretical examination required.
Was not reprimanded
Abrahams had allegedly once undertaken a flight for which an instrument rating was required before the irregularity was corrected.
It was recommended the CAA board should reprimand Abrahams or take steps it deemed necessary against him. At the time, the board said it would await the outcome of the court case.
After the charges were withdrawn, the board unanimously took a decision not to reprimand nor take disciplinary action against Abrahams.
Davids said on Thursday Abrahams would still perform his duties as commissioner of the CAA. The commissioner oversees the aviation regulations.
Captain Sakhile Nyoni, who is the general manager of flight operations at the CAA, has been appointed acting CEO."
FROM NEWS24.COM
Aviation head Abrahams
facing more turbulance
"Johannesburg - Civil Aviation Authority chief executive Trevor Abrahams was placed on indefinite compulsory leave of absence on Thursday after allegations of misconduct and impropriety were made against him.
CAA spokesman Trevor Davids said he would be able to divulge the details of the allegations only once a forensic report into the matter had been completed.
He said the CAA's board of directors, which decided to place Abrahams on compulsory leave, issued a directive that the report be completed soon.
This action was taken to allow a forensic audit to probe the allegations that had been brought to the board's attention.
The board said in a statement it was not passing judgment nor fuelling accusations, but merely paving the way for a speedy and fair investigation into the allegations.
Zukile Nomvete, acting chair of the board, said: "The CAA is committed to the highest form of integrity and, given the position involved and the seriousness of the allegations, wish to follow a transparent and just process in getting to the bottom of the allegations.
"An independent investigation into the allegations will be launched and we will support its outcome."
Pilots' licence scam
The Mail & Guardian weekly newspaper reported last week that Abrahams shared a private events-management company with his fiancée. It said the company had tendered for, and benefited from CAA contracts.
In June 2000, Abrahams was suspended as CEO of the CAA after being arrested on charges relating to a pilots licence scam.
A whistle-blower in the case alleged that some pilots were buying exam papers for their Airline Transport Pilot licences. Abrahams was alleged to have known about the matter and done nothing about it.
However, in March 2001, Abrahams was reinstated as CEO after the State withdrew its charges of fraud, corruption, obstruction of justice and contravention of the Aviation Act.
At the time, the office of the national director of public prosecutions said the charges were withdrawn after it had been found it might not be in the public interest to prosecute Abrahams. It was found that there was not enough evidence in the State's case to warrant a trial.
During the trial, an independent review panel was set up to investigate the allegations.
It found that Abrahams' South African private pilot's licence included an instrument rating which was issued irregularly. He had undergone the flight test, but not the theoretical examination required.
Was not reprimanded
Abrahams had allegedly once undertaken a flight for which an instrument rating was required before the irregularity was corrected.
It was recommended the CAA board should reprimand Abrahams or take steps it deemed necessary against him. At the time, the board said it would await the outcome of the court case.
After the charges were withdrawn, the board unanimously took a decision not to reprimand nor take disciplinary action against Abrahams.
Davids said on Thursday Abrahams would still perform his duties as commissioner of the CAA. The commissioner oversees the aviation regulations.
Captain Sakhile Nyoni, who is the general manager of flight operations at the CAA, has been appointed acting CEO."
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Blame APARTHEID Trev's - it is the EASIEST way !
Just a reminder that Trevor has ALWAYS been an Angel ...
Trevor Abrahams reinstated as CAA chief
Pretoria - Trevor Abrahams had been reinstated with immediate effect as chief executive officer of the Civil Aviation Authority, the CAA board said on Friday.
The State on Thursday withdrew charges of fraud, corruption, obstruction of justice and contravention of the Aviation Act against Abrahams.
Following his arrest on June 29 last year, he was suspended as CEO and as Commissioner of Civil Aviation pending the outcome of the court case.
The CAA board was concerned about how the investigation was handled, the delay in the formulation of the charges, as well as the numerous postponements of Abrahams' court appearances, chairperson Israel Skosana said.
"This results in serious doubt being cast on the justice system," he said.
Transport Minister Dullah Omar on Thursday expressed similar concerns when he announced the reinstatement of Abrahams as Commissioner of Civil Aviation.
Omar said he would take the matter up with the Ministers of Justice and of Safety and Security.
Skosana said the board was pleased that Abrahams would be able to resume his duties.
"The board will discuss the findings of the Independent Review Panel with Mr Abrahams," his statement said.
The panel last year found that Abrahams' South African private pilot's licence included an instrument rating which was issued irregularly. He had undergone the flight test, but not the theoretical examination required.
Abrahams had allegedly once undertaken a flight for which an instrument rating was required before the irregularity was corrected.
The panel recommended that the CAA board should reprimand Abrahams or take steps it deemed necessary against him.
At the time, the board said it would wait for the outcome of the court case.
It said the same when a review panel concluded in January this year that Abrahams had breached aviation regulations by delaying reporting a landing incident involving an aircraft he was piloting. - Sapa
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Audit reports slate CAA
Johannesburg - Trevor Abrahams, commissioner of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), is in trouble again - this time together with Transport Minister Dullah Omar - about a flight they took to Zanzibar, Tanzania, at a cost of R100 000.
The charter flight is one of many aspects which have been highlighted over the last 12 months in interim reports by the auditors Arthur Andersen, and in which the management of the CAA is urgently being requested to tighten its financial controls.
According to one of the findings over 2 000 deposits were made into CAA accounts for which there are no accurate entries or references.
The charter flight which Omar and Abrahams undertook would have cost R84 000 plus tax, meals for the crew, transport and fuel tax, according to the initial quotation by National Airways Corporation (NAC). The invoice sent to the CAA by the NAC was, however, for R110 200.
The auditors recommend that the matter be investigated.
In response to an enquiry by the auditors, it is stated in the report that after a telephone conversation with Abrahams it appeared that the first tender could not be accepted because the proposed aircraft was no longer available.
A second tender for R110 200 was then obtained.
According to the report, Abrahams said "the minister [Omar] was prepared to pay 50% of the expenses". It is unclear why the minister or his ministry was prepared to pay 50% for a charter flight if the visit was part of the CAA's activities.
One of the other aspects singled out by the auditors is the sale of two aircraft in June and September last year.
"The supporting documents regarding the decision to sell the aircraft, and the relevant sale invoices could not be obtained from the financial department. The only documents relevant to the transactions were the two cheques received from the buyers.
"The two cheques, in the amounts of R1 201 515, and R353 073,93 respectively, were received from Johannesburg Corporate and the NAC," the report states.
"It appears that the book values of the two aircraft were not taken into account when the selling price was determined."
The auditors also pointed out that although Abrahams was suspended at the time, the DCA paid respectively R2 900, R1 300 and R1 800 in July, August and September 2000 for his cellphone. They pointed out that he should not have made any work-related telephone calls because he was suspended at the time.
An investigation into the matter of electronic diaries has also been requested. According to the entry in the audit report, Abrahams purchased six electronic diaries to the value of R28 700. Of the six diaries, one was in Abrahams' possession, even though he was suspended at the time of the investigation. A second diary was in the possession of an unknown person and a third could not be traced. The other three could be accounted for.
The auditors also questioned the use of a travel agent in Cape Town to make the CAA's travel arrangements, even though the CAA is based in Pretoria. They suggest that the use of a local agent would curb costs. The DCA's telephone account is also mentioned - the monthly telephone bill is more than R60 000.
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CAA chief sues police
Nicolize Mulder and Erika Gibson
Pretoria - Trevor Abrahams, commissioner of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), is suing the police for R500 000 for allegedly unlawfully arresting and maliciously prosecuting him in the pilot licence fraud scandal.
Abrahams's case against the minister of safety and security was struck from the roll of the Pretoria High Court on Monday.
But Abrahams says although he agreed to have the case struck from the roll, the claim hasn't been dropped. A new court date will be set.
Court documents show that Abrahams instituted two claims of R250 000 each plus interest and legal fees against the police. The one claim relates to his alleged unlawful arrest and loss of freedom. He alleges that it caused him pain and suffering, emotional shock, psychological trauma and stress.
In the other claim, Abrahams alleges that the police prosecuted him without reasonable grounds and that their actions were malicious.
'Premature and unreasonable'
Abrahams was arrested at the office of the specialised commercial crimes unit in June 2000. He was detained on fraud and corruption charges. He says unfounded allegations were made in an affidavit to acquire a warrant.
He was released on R20 000 bail the next day.
In March 2001, all charges against him were dropped. Court documents stated that the charges were without merit.
At the time, Abrahams was suspected of statutory contraventions of aviation regulations and fraud. He was alleged to have been involved in pilot licence fraud after exam papers had allegedly been sold.
Abrahams said then that there were no grounds for the charges and that he was considering legal action. He said the police action was premature and unreasonable.
The police are opposing the claims. They say the warrants were legally issued. Captain Jozua Joubert reportedly had the warrant's permission to arrest Abrahams, and had no reason to question the validity of the warrant.
The police also claim that Abrahams was remanded after his first court appearance by the magistrate, and not by the police. And they say that the prosecuting authority decided on Abrahams's court appearance and the charges against him. The decision to drop the charges was also made by the director of public prosecution.
Trevor Abrahams reinstated as CAA chief
Pretoria - Trevor Abrahams had been reinstated with immediate effect as chief executive officer of the Civil Aviation Authority, the CAA board said on Friday.
The State on Thursday withdrew charges of fraud, corruption, obstruction of justice and contravention of the Aviation Act against Abrahams.
Following his arrest on June 29 last year, he was suspended as CEO and as Commissioner of Civil Aviation pending the outcome of the court case.
The CAA board was concerned about how the investigation was handled, the delay in the formulation of the charges, as well as the numerous postponements of Abrahams' court appearances, chairperson Israel Skosana said.
"This results in serious doubt being cast on the justice system," he said.
Transport Minister Dullah Omar on Thursday expressed similar concerns when he announced the reinstatement of Abrahams as Commissioner of Civil Aviation.
Omar said he would take the matter up with the Ministers of Justice and of Safety and Security.
Skosana said the board was pleased that Abrahams would be able to resume his duties.
"The board will discuss the findings of the Independent Review Panel with Mr Abrahams," his statement said.
The panel last year found that Abrahams' South African private pilot's licence included an instrument rating which was issued irregularly. He had undergone the flight test, but not the theoretical examination required.
Abrahams had allegedly once undertaken a flight for which an instrument rating was required before the irregularity was corrected.
The panel recommended that the CAA board should reprimand Abrahams or take steps it deemed necessary against him.
At the time, the board said it would wait for the outcome of the court case.
It said the same when a review panel concluded in January this year that Abrahams had breached aviation regulations by delaying reporting a landing incident involving an aircraft he was piloting. - Sapa
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Audit reports slate CAA
Johannesburg - Trevor Abrahams, commissioner of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), is in trouble again - this time together with Transport Minister Dullah Omar - about a flight they took to Zanzibar, Tanzania, at a cost of R100 000.
The charter flight is one of many aspects which have been highlighted over the last 12 months in interim reports by the auditors Arthur Andersen, and in which the management of the CAA is urgently being requested to tighten its financial controls.
According to one of the findings over 2 000 deposits were made into CAA accounts for which there are no accurate entries or references.
The charter flight which Omar and Abrahams undertook would have cost R84 000 plus tax, meals for the crew, transport and fuel tax, according to the initial quotation by National Airways Corporation (NAC). The invoice sent to the CAA by the NAC was, however, for R110 200.
The auditors recommend that the matter be investigated.
In response to an enquiry by the auditors, it is stated in the report that after a telephone conversation with Abrahams it appeared that the first tender could not be accepted because the proposed aircraft was no longer available.
A second tender for R110 200 was then obtained.
According to the report, Abrahams said "the minister [Omar] was prepared to pay 50% of the expenses". It is unclear why the minister or his ministry was prepared to pay 50% for a charter flight if the visit was part of the CAA's activities.
One of the other aspects singled out by the auditors is the sale of two aircraft in June and September last year.
"The supporting documents regarding the decision to sell the aircraft, and the relevant sale invoices could not be obtained from the financial department. The only documents relevant to the transactions were the two cheques received from the buyers.
"The two cheques, in the amounts of R1 201 515, and R353 073,93 respectively, were received from Johannesburg Corporate and the NAC," the report states.
"It appears that the book values of the two aircraft were not taken into account when the selling price was determined."
The auditors also pointed out that although Abrahams was suspended at the time, the DCA paid respectively R2 900, R1 300 and R1 800 in July, August and September 2000 for his cellphone. They pointed out that he should not have made any work-related telephone calls because he was suspended at the time.
An investigation into the matter of electronic diaries has also been requested. According to the entry in the audit report, Abrahams purchased six electronic diaries to the value of R28 700. Of the six diaries, one was in Abrahams' possession, even though he was suspended at the time of the investigation. A second diary was in the possession of an unknown person and a third could not be traced. The other three could be accounted for.
The auditors also questioned the use of a travel agent in Cape Town to make the CAA's travel arrangements, even though the CAA is based in Pretoria. They suggest that the use of a local agent would curb costs. The DCA's telephone account is also mentioned - the monthly telephone bill is more than R60 000.
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CAA chief sues police
Nicolize Mulder and Erika Gibson
Pretoria - Trevor Abrahams, commissioner of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), is suing the police for R500 000 for allegedly unlawfully arresting and maliciously prosecuting him in the pilot licence fraud scandal.
Abrahams's case against the minister of safety and security was struck from the roll of the Pretoria High Court on Monday.
But Abrahams says although he agreed to have the case struck from the roll, the claim hasn't been dropped. A new court date will be set.
Court documents show that Abrahams instituted two claims of R250 000 each plus interest and legal fees against the police. The one claim relates to his alleged unlawful arrest and loss of freedom. He alleges that it caused him pain and suffering, emotional shock, psychological trauma and stress.
In the other claim, Abrahams alleges that the police prosecuted him without reasonable grounds and that their actions were malicious.
'Premature and unreasonable'
Abrahams was arrested at the office of the specialised commercial crimes unit in June 2000. He was detained on fraud and corruption charges. He says unfounded allegations were made in an affidavit to acquire a warrant.
He was released on R20 000 bail the next day.
In March 2001, all charges against him were dropped. Court documents stated that the charges were without merit.
At the time, Abrahams was suspected of statutory contraventions of aviation regulations and fraud. He was alleged to have been involved in pilot licence fraud after exam papers had allegedly been sold.
Abrahams said then that there were no grounds for the charges and that he was considering legal action. He said the police action was premature and unreasonable.
The police are opposing the claims. They say the warrants were legally issued. Captain Jozua Joubert reportedly had the warrant's permission to arrest Abrahams, and had no reason to question the validity of the warrant.
The police also claim that Abrahams was remanded after his first court appearance by the magistrate, and not by the police. And they say that the prosecuting authority decided on Abrahams's court appearance and the charges against him. The decision to drop the charges was also made by the director of public prosecution.
Who will rid us of this tiresome man?? No doubt he will be "exonerated" again in due course!!
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"exonerated" what does that mean bru ?
I pressume (to the ill- informed boere like me) that it means ... re-installed into old position - with chances of getting into politics, pay increase, did not lose benefits and a 3 month paid holiday - just to relieve the stress ? New Merc as old one is known to the press now and PPL licence renewal paid for by the CAA ???
???
You got it Guns - I fully expect troublesome Trev to be back in the saddle with all sins washed away!
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Positive
Jon Doe and Sortie III,
I am always trying to get a positive thread going but I have given up ... sjees bru they are realling f*3king it up !
I mean the Coke sniffer/ carrier from SAA, licence scams ,,,, hallo are we a second Nigeria here in the making ? In the mean time you see all these MP's standing on the beach in Angola - investing ... fok swaer - INVEST in your own country and sort your OWN country out - forget about building hotel's on Angola's beachfront for the time being - give people JOBS !
Gunnssss ... gunsss - ok sipp - ah better ... that is better .. Trev RIP bru ... will most probably see you in the passage on my PPL renewal
Uhmm do I HAVE to go in and renew it ? In Nigeria you send the driver with cash ... and your PPL is renewed 
I am always trying to get a positive thread going but I have given up ... sjees bru they are realling f*3king it up !
I mean the Coke sniffer/ carrier from SAA, licence scams ,,,, hallo are we a second Nigeria here in the making ? In the mean time you see all these MP's standing on the beach in Angola - investing ... fok swaer - INVEST in your own country and sort your OWN country out - forget about building hotel's on Angola's beachfront for the time being - give people JOBS !
Gunnssss ... gunsss - ok sipp - ah better ... that is better .. Trev RIP bru ... will most probably see you in the passage on my PPL renewal
Uhmm do I HAVE to go in and renew it ? In Nigeria you send the driver with cash ... and your PPL is renewed
Last edited by Gunship; 6th Dec 2002 at 22:23.
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CAA's Abrahams mum on allegations
News 24
Pretoria - Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) chief executive officer Trevor Abrahams said on Saturday he would only comment on allegations of impropriety and misconduct against him once the investigation had been completed.
The CAA board decided on Thursday to place Abrahams on compulsory leave while he was being investigated.
The Mail & Guardian reported that Abrahams and his fiancee shared a private events management company that tendered for and benefited from CAA contracts.
On Saturday Abrahams attended an air show at Zwartkop air force base outside Pretoria to commemorate International Civil Aviation Day.
He wore a badge indicating he was the commissioner of civil aviation. Although he was temporarily relieved of his duties as CAA CEO, he will still carry out his duties as commissioner.
Transport Minister Dullah Omar also referred to him as such when he addressed various dignitaries at the start of his speech at the event.
On Friday Omar said he supported the CAA board in its decision. He did not refer to it again on Saturday.
Abrahams told Sapa he had flown a Tigermoth from Krugersdorp to Zwartkop for the air show.
He said he would not comment on the allegations now. The forensic investigation had to be completed first.
"We do not want to do it through the media. Afterwards I'll be quite happy to comment," said an apparently relaxed Abrahams. (Uhmm why should he not be ?)
Pretoria - Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) chief executive officer Trevor Abrahams said on Saturday he would only comment on allegations of impropriety and misconduct against him once the investigation had been completed.
The CAA board decided on Thursday to place Abrahams on compulsory leave while he was being investigated.
The Mail & Guardian reported that Abrahams and his fiancee shared a private events management company that tendered for and benefited from CAA contracts.
On Saturday Abrahams attended an air show at Zwartkop air force base outside Pretoria to commemorate International Civil Aviation Day.
He wore a badge indicating he was the commissioner of civil aviation. Although he was temporarily relieved of his duties as CAA CEO, he will still carry out his duties as commissioner.
Transport Minister Dullah Omar also referred to him as such when he addressed various dignitaries at the start of his speech at the event.
On Friday Omar said he supported the CAA board in its decision. He did not refer to it again on Saturday.
Abrahams told Sapa he had flown a
Tigermoth from Krugersdorp to Zwartkop for the air show. He said he would not comment on the allegations now. The forensic investigation had to be completed first.
"We do not want to do it through the media. Afterwards I'll be quite happy to comment," said an
apparently relaxed Abrahams. (Uhmm why should he not be ?)
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NOW THIS SEEMS INTERESTING
Picked up on a rumour that has it that the SA CAA threatened to ground SA Express due to irregularities with aircraft maintenance and/or maintenance records (anybody got anymore info on this?). This threat by the SA CAA is said to have been made about June/July this year.
Apparently the maintenance irregularities started when Kutso Mampuele (?) was still CEO of SAX. With two ex SAX CEO's on the SA CAA board of Directors (Israel Skosana is there as well), with Zukile Nomvete (ex SAA/Transnet) thrown in for good measure, it is said that Trev was framed to nail him for his proposed action against SAX.
This one should be watched closely.
Picked up on a rumour that has it that the SA CAA threatened to ground SA Express due to irregularities with aircraft maintenance and/or maintenance records (anybody got anymore info on this?). This threat by the SA CAA is said to have been made about June/July this year.
Apparently the maintenance irregularities started when Kutso Mampuele (?) was still CEO of SAX. With two ex SAX CEO's on the SA CAA board of Directors (Israel Skosana is there as well), with Zukile Nomvete (ex SAA/Transnet) thrown in for good measure, it is said that Trev was framed to nail him for his proposed action against SAX.
This one should be watched closely.
If you ...
BAKELA
It is true. The CAA audit was in October and they indicated a requirement for more attention to "management systems" in maintenance. SAA stepped in to save them on 31 October 2002.
The whole thing stinks to high heaven and includes ex-SAX members within SAA. They have a nice "little empire" going in my opinion. Areas I would like investigated are various aircraft deals and airline catering.
The whole thing stinks to high heaven and includes ex-SAX members within SAA. They have a nice "little empire" going in my opinion. Areas I would like investigated are various aircraft deals and airline catering.
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Besides the detail about what was found lacking, the Chief Operating officer, and ex-Chief Engineer (Claw you should remember him - Frans) is no longer in SAX. He is reported to now be somewhere in Transnet.
PONTIUS
I remember him, and how when, I believe he should have been fired years ago, Israel Skosana stepped in to save him. What worries me is that this is just the stuff we know about, what else is going on behind the scenes?
Typical of SA today, get a job, screw it up, add impressive job to CV and then move on.
Typical of SA today, get a job, screw it up, add impressive job to CV and then move on.
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FROM MAIL & GUARDIAN FRI 10 JAN 2003
Aviation chief’s moment of truth
"Insiders say the auditors have made damning findings against Trevor Abrahams and some senior CAA officials. (Nadine Hutton)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) board is set to decide on the future of its embattled CEO Trevor Abrahams on Friday following the completion of a probe into allegations of conflict of interest against him.
Abrahams was placed on indefinite compulsory leave last November after a Mail & Guardian report revealed that he and his fiancée shared a private events management company that tendered for and benefited from CAA contracts.
The M&G report also revealed how the fiancée’s brother benefited from a CAA contract. Reliable insiders this week told the M&G that the forensic probe has been completed and a report would be tabled before the CAA board on Friday.
The insiders said the auditors have made damning findings against Abrahams and some senior CAA officials. They could not divulge specific findings but they claimed that the board is likely to act against Abrahams on the basis of the findings.
Abrahams was quoted after his suspension as saying he would comment on allegations against him once the investigation had been completed.
The M&G has in the meantime also learned that Abrahams is facing more allegations of a blatant conflict of interest — this time in the Pretoria High Court.
Murad Ismail, a former senior inspector with the CAA who crossed swords with Abrahams in 2000, filed a civil claim against Abrahams, the CAA and its political head, Minister of Transport Abdullah Omar, in August last year.
No date has been set for the hearing. Ismail, now chief executive of Interlink Airlines, claims Abrahams has “demonstrated a pattern of corrupt underhand transactions”.
Ismail is asking the court to set aside a number of contracts issued by the CAA on the grounds they were riddled with corruption. He is also asking the court to set aside the CAA’s decision not to renew his pilot examiner’s rating.
Ismail accuses Abrahams of treating Interlink and Calcosa, another applicant for CAA tenders, unfairly. Ismail’s court action is backed by Calcosa.
Ismail’s most sensational allegations are where he accuses Abrahams of having private interests that will be advanced through contracts awarded by the CAA to a private aviation business, the National Airways Corporation (NAC).
Among other services, in 2000 the NAC provided a charter flight to the CAA to transport Abrahams and Omar to Zanzibar, Tanzania. That contract was marred by controversy after the CAA’s auditors questioned the difference between the original quote of R82 000 and the R110 000 that the NAC eventually invoiced.
Ismail claims the following contracts were riddled with irregularities:
The acquisition of new calibration equipment by the CAA. Calibration is to ensure that the electronic signals, sent by airports to guide aircraft to runways in conditions of low visibility, are correct.
Ismail claims Abrahams wrongfully justified to Omar that new calibration equipment be bought — ultimately at a cost to the taxpayer of $11-million — while South Africa already had a sophisticated system, named Millinear, that could be updated with inexpensive software.
Ismail claims Abrahams sold Millinear at a 10th of its value and without a tender, just to get it out of the way, so that the new calibration equipment could be bought — again without tender — and that the CAA could set up a new calibration service in partnership with the NAC.
In an affidavit Ismail claims: “He [Abrahams] intended to set up a contract with a company [the NAC] in which he had a personal or financial interest whether direct or indirect so that that company could charge a phenomenal fee.”
Ismail claims that Abrahams justified to Omar that the new calibration service be run with turbo prop King Air aircraft — planes which Ismail alleges are not well suited to the task.
Ismail states: “In my respectful submission, the only reason for [Abrahams] suggesting the use of the turbo prop King Airs is that he, in his personal capacity, has acquired turbo prop King Airs.”
Ismail claims Abrahams, with an NAC executive — who also happens to be on the CAA board — bought two King Air aircraft from the Japanese Navy.
Ismail claims Abrahams intended to award the calibration service tender to the NAC, which would in turn deploy the King Air aircraft owned by Abrahams and the NAC executive. Ismail claims Abrahams “stands to earn some R6,6-million per annum for the hire of each King Air aircraft, in his personal capacity”.
Ismail claims that despite a tender having been evaluated in favour of Calcosa relating to the maintenance of the CAA’s jets, Abrahams refused to award the tender to Calcosa.
In an answering affidavit, Abrahams denies each allegation. He also says he did not make any decision not to award tenders.
“Those tenders were invited by the CAA and tender committees established by the board of the CAA made decisions in regard to them. I was not a member of, and did not participate in the evaluation of the tenders by the tender committee.”
In June 2000 Abrahams was suspended as CEO of the CAA after being arrested on charges of fraud, corruption, obstruction of justice and contravention of the Aviation Act, all relating to a pilot’s license scam. Ismail was the whistle-blower. Abrahams was reinstated in March 2001 after the state withdrew charges against him.
Ismail was suspended from the CAA for investigating Abrahams. He resigned following a settlement with the CAA.
Aviation chief’s moment of truth
"Insiders say the auditors have made damning findings against Trevor Abrahams and some senior CAA officials. (Nadine Hutton)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) board is set to decide on the future of its embattled CEO Trevor Abrahams on Friday following the completion of a probe into allegations of conflict of interest against him.
Abrahams was placed on indefinite compulsory leave last November after a Mail & Guardian report revealed that he and his fiancée shared a private events management company that tendered for and benefited from CAA contracts.
The M&G report also revealed how the fiancée’s brother benefited from a CAA contract. Reliable insiders this week told the M&G that the forensic probe has been completed and a report would be tabled before the CAA board on Friday.
The insiders said the auditors have made damning findings against Abrahams and some senior CAA officials. They could not divulge specific findings but they claimed that the board is likely to act against Abrahams on the basis of the findings.
Abrahams was quoted after his suspension as saying he would comment on allegations against him once the investigation had been completed.
The M&G has in the meantime also learned that Abrahams is facing more allegations of a blatant conflict of interest — this time in the Pretoria High Court.
Murad Ismail, a former senior inspector with the CAA who crossed swords with Abrahams in 2000, filed a civil claim against Abrahams, the CAA and its political head, Minister of Transport Abdullah Omar, in August last year.
No date has been set for the hearing. Ismail, now chief executive of Interlink Airlines, claims Abrahams has “demonstrated a pattern of corrupt underhand transactions”.
Ismail is asking the court to set aside a number of contracts issued by the CAA on the grounds they were riddled with corruption. He is also asking the court to set aside the CAA’s decision not to renew his pilot examiner’s rating.
Ismail accuses Abrahams of treating Interlink and Calcosa, another applicant for CAA tenders, unfairly. Ismail’s court action is backed by Calcosa.
Ismail’s most sensational allegations are where he accuses Abrahams of having private interests that will be advanced through contracts awarded by the CAA to a private aviation business, the National Airways Corporation (NAC).
Among other services, in 2000 the NAC provided a charter flight to the CAA to transport Abrahams and Omar to Zanzibar, Tanzania. That contract was marred by controversy after the CAA’s auditors questioned the difference between the original quote of R82 000 and the R110 000 that the NAC eventually invoiced.
Ismail claims the following contracts were riddled with irregularities:
The acquisition of new calibration equipment by the CAA. Calibration is to ensure that the electronic signals, sent by airports to guide aircraft to runways in conditions of low visibility, are correct.
Ismail claims Abrahams wrongfully justified to Omar that new calibration equipment be bought — ultimately at a cost to the taxpayer of $11-million — while South Africa already had a sophisticated system, named Millinear, that could be updated with inexpensive software.
Ismail claims Abrahams sold Millinear at a 10th of its value and without a tender, just to get it out of the way, so that the new calibration equipment could be bought — again without tender — and that the CAA could set up a new calibration service in partnership with the NAC.
In an affidavit Ismail claims: “He [Abrahams] intended to set up a contract with a company [the NAC] in which he had a personal or financial interest whether direct or indirect so that that company could charge a phenomenal fee.”
Ismail claims that Abrahams justified to Omar that the new calibration service be run with turbo prop King Air aircraft — planes which Ismail alleges are not well suited to the task.
Ismail states: “In my respectful submission, the only reason for [Abrahams] suggesting the use of the turbo prop King Airs is that he, in his personal capacity, has acquired turbo prop King Airs.”
Ismail claims Abrahams, with an NAC executive — who also happens to be on the CAA board — bought two King Air aircraft from the Japanese Navy.
Ismail claims Abrahams intended to award the calibration service tender to the NAC, which would in turn deploy the King Air aircraft owned by Abrahams and the NAC executive. Ismail claims Abrahams “stands to earn some R6,6-million per annum for the hire of each King Air aircraft, in his personal capacity”.
Ismail claims that despite a tender having been evaluated in favour of Calcosa relating to the maintenance of the CAA’s jets, Abrahams refused to award the tender to Calcosa.
In an answering affidavit, Abrahams denies each allegation. He also says he did not make any decision not to award tenders.
“Those tenders were invited by the CAA and tender committees established by the board of the CAA made decisions in regard to them. I was not a member of, and did not participate in the evaluation of the tenders by the tender committee.”
In June 2000 Abrahams was suspended as CEO of the CAA after being arrested on charges of fraud, corruption, obstruction of justice and contravention of the Aviation Act, all relating to a pilot’s license scam. Ismail was the whistle-blower. Abrahams was reinstated in March 2001 after the state withdrew charges against him.
Ismail was suspended from the CAA for investigating Abrahams. He resigned following a settlement with the CAA.