In Focus

ACSA confirms resignation of two non-executive directors

The Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) confirmed the resignation of two non-executive directors from its board on 24 April 2018.

Business Day reported on 23 April 2018 that Steven Mabela and Siyakhula Simelane tendered in their resignation to the Department of Transport last week citing corporate governance issues and political interference from the minister’s office.

In a recent interview with Radio 702 Transport Minister, Blade Nzimande, reportedly inferred that some members of the board had links to the controversial Gupta family that is currently embroiled in allegations of “state capture”

The spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Ishmael Mnisi, told Political Analysis South Africa on 24 April 2018 that Mabela and Simelane should provide specific instances of political inference in their work.

“The minister is the majority shareholder there. He represents more than 65% of the shares of government in that institution, so I do not understand what political interference in this instance means…if the minister calls a meeting and makes certain decisions on behalf of government is that political interference?” he said.

“I just want them to qualify what political interference means because we are talking of a person who is a major shareholder there on behalf of government, and government is a political institution anyway,” he added.

Meanwhile, ACSA says that the resignation of the two non-executive directors will not impact the daily operations of the company and that replacements will be appointed soon.

“The overall governance processes of ACSA are intact and functioning as intended. In addition, the day-to-day operations of the Company continue as normal under the directions of the directors,” the company said.

“The matter is currently receiving urgent attention by the Minister of Transport, who appoints non-executive directors. We have been informed that the Minister will make an announcement soon,” the company added in an emailed statement.