Zondo Commission: Khoza was scolded for questioning Dudu Myeni

Former African National Congress (ANC) MP Makhosi Khoza has told the State Capture Commission how she was once called out by former finance minister Des Van Rooyen for critising former South African Airways (SAA) Chairperson Dudu Myeni.

 Khoza, who served as Chairperson of the Committee on Public Service and Administration as well as Economic Development, gave evidence related to parliamentary oversight before the commission on Thursday, February 4, 2021.

She told the commission, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo that she had objected to an SAA rescue plan presented by Myeni, which recommended replacing older, white pilots – with younger and black counterparts.

“It’s important to point out that where I come from, my understanding of transformation is not necessarily about one’s skin pigmentation, but it’s also about quality systems that you put in place. And it’s also about ensuring that the people that are appointed have key competencies to be able to do the job,” Khoza told Zondo.

Khoza: I was told to never question comrades again

She said she asked Myeni if she had considered the fact that the white pilots had played a key role in earning SAA international recognition as one of the safest airlines in the world. Khoza said things got heated after raising that point, as many of her fellow ANC MPs viewed her as being anti-transformation.

Khoza said she was then called by Van Rooyen, who at the time was the Whip of the Standing Committee on Finances, for a meeting. She said current Communications Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana was also present.

“When we got to that meeting, Des Van Rooyen asked me why I did something that was counter-revolutionary and is questioning the transformation agenda that comrade Dudu Myeni was putting forward. I was then told I must never ever challenge comrades and that argument was quite heated…” she said.

Evidence leader Advocate Alec Freund then told Khoza that Van Rooyen has denied that such a meeting took place, in an affidavit. But Khoza is sticking to her guns, saying that she remembered also being seen by DA MPs.

Khoza gained prominence amongst South Africans when she became one of the first to condemn then President Jacob Zuma’s administration – and call for his removal from office in 2017.

Myeni, who has also featured in the state capture inquiry, was declared a delinquent director in 2020 and has been blamed for having had a hand in SAA’s demise.