Gunship
11th Jan 2003, 23:26
Sunday Times (http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/2003/01/12/news/news11.asp)
The investigation into the country's aviation chief has lifted the lid on the often chaotic running of the Civil Aviation Authority.
The authority's main function is to promote safety and security in the skies, but on the ground, its Pretoria head office was allegedly run on "pirated" computer software. This is one of the conclusions of the forensic audit called for after allegations that the authority's CEO, Trevor Abrahams, was involved in irregularities.
Some of the findings are that:
The authority contravened Reserve Bank regulations by running its own "foreign exchange facility" without a licence;
It failed to follow financial procedures and bought goods in an "uncontrolled and ill-disciplined manner"; and
Abrahams misled the board and completely disregarded its instructions at times.
Staff who were seen to be unhappy were given handsome golden handshakes which were not budgeted for.
Lucas Dhlamini, a former general manager, received R200 000, including legal fees, in a settlement deal after he, too, lodged a case against it. Abrahams's former secretary, Nomonde Radu, got R91 000.
The Sunday Times could not reach members of the Civil Aviation Authority's board for comment yesterday, but it has been established that it has been told it should ask the police to investigate dishonesty, fraud and theft.
A company awarded a R279 000 contract may have supplied the authority with illegal or "pirated" equipment, the audit found.
It suggested irregular job appointments should be reversed. These would include the appointment of Trevor Davids, the authority's head of communications, and possibly that of security manager Ashwyn Govind.
The investigation into the country's aviation chief has lifted the lid on the often chaotic running of the Civil Aviation Authority.
The authority's main function is to promote safety and security in the skies, but on the ground, its Pretoria head office was allegedly run on "pirated" computer software. This is one of the conclusions of the forensic audit called for after allegations that the authority's CEO, Trevor Abrahams, was involved in irregularities.
Some of the findings are that:
The authority contravened Reserve Bank regulations by running its own "foreign exchange facility" without a licence;
It failed to follow financial procedures and bought goods in an "uncontrolled and ill-disciplined manner"; and
Abrahams misled the board and completely disregarded its instructions at times.
Staff who were seen to be unhappy were given handsome golden handshakes which were not budgeted for.
Lucas Dhlamini, a former general manager, received R200 000, including legal fees, in a settlement deal after he, too, lodged a case against it. Abrahams's former secretary, Nomonde Radu, got R91 000.
The Sunday Times could not reach members of the Civil Aviation Authority's board for comment yesterday, but it has been established that it has been told it should ask the police to investigate dishonesty, fraud and theft.
A company awarded a R279 000 contract may have supplied the authority with illegal or "pirated" equipment, the audit found.
It suggested irregular job appointments should be reversed. These would include the appointment of Trevor Davids, the authority's head of communications, and possibly that of security manager Ashwyn Govind.