Former SAA board chair Dudu Myeni, who died on Friday, was a “phenomenal” woman who was sabotaged because she was appointed by former president Jacob Zuma.
That is according to South African Cabin Crew Association (SACCA) deputy president Chris Shabangu, who paid tribute to Myeni on Saturday.
Myeni's death was announced by the Jacob Zuma Foundation on Saturday afternoon.
“It is indeed with a heavy heart to confirm that indeed the chairperson of the foundation, Myeni, has passed on last night [Friday],” said foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi.
“The family is still dealing with these sad developments and will not be entertaining any media enquiries. The foundation is requesting the media to respect the family's position,” he added.
Shabangu said that SACCA was saddened because “Mama Dudu Myeni stood for the workers at SAA”.
“We are aware that under her tenure SAA endured losses, but there were several other people there at the time who were under investigation. For the first time as workers, we were able to strategise with her, she included us. So much so that we brought a charge against her. She said this would open the way to interrogate the board,” he said.
We are aware that under her tenure SAA endured losses, but there were several other people there at the time who were under investigation. For the first time as workers, we were able to strategise with her, she included us
— SACCA deputy president Chris Shabangu
“It was clear she was sabotaged because of who she was and who appointed her ... that is former president Jacob Zuma.”
Shabangu said Myeni was a friend to the union and they had a close bond, even discussing the politics of the country last week.
In May this year, the Johannesburg high court postponed the corruption case of Myeni and Trevor Mathenjwa to November 21, as Myeni had been in hospital.
TimesLIVE previously quoted Investigating Directorate spokesperson Henry Mamothame as saying Myeni and Mathenjwa were facing corruption and fraud charges linked to Bosasa, involving about R300,000. Myeni was out on R10,000 bail.
Myeni, who was chair of the Jacob Zuma Foundation, was accused of receiving gratification from Bosasa subsidiary Sondolo IT. It was allegedly offered by Mathenjwa, the company's former director.
Myeni allegedly received security upgrades for her Richards Bay home from May 2014 to March 2015 to the value of R200,000. She was further accused of benefiting from hotel accommodation and travel expenses for her and people close to her from Bosasa for more than R107,000.
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