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South Africa’s embattled national airline SAA said Monday it has suspended its acting chief executive, Vuyisile Kona, in the latest crisis to hit the company.
“This is based on certain allegations that have come to the attention of the board, in respect of which the board has a fiduciary duty to investigate,” said a statement.
“This suspension is effective from 11 February 2013,” it said.
Kona was appointed in October last year, following the resignation of Siza Mzimela as chief executive.
Mzimela’s departure came after the exodus of 14 board members in September, including chairwoman Cheryl Carolus.
“It must be stressed that the board has not come to any conclusion as to the veracity or otherwise of these allegations,” said the company without giving details about Kona’s suspension.
Last year, SAA ran up operating losses of 1.3 billion rands (114 million euros; $147 million) for the financial year 2011-2012, hurt by the global economic slowdown and soaring fuel prices.
The chief executive of the company’s low cost airline division Nico Bezuidenhout has stepped in to oversee operations.