Myeni ‘tired’, court adjourns

Myeni's lawyer, Advocate Nqabayethu Buthelezi, objected to the line of questioning by Advocate Carol Steinberg, representing the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), and said his client was also tired.

This followed a delay of about two hours in the morning after Myeni and her lawyers introduced new documents.

Steinberg and Myeni were going back and forth on day three of cross-examination.

Myeni could not provide satisfactory answers regarding the delay in the board's approval of a swap deal between SAA and Airbus which would apparently have saved SAA over R600 million it owed to European company.

She told the court the board had resolved to look at other alternatives and whether there was an African leasing company that could be brought on board.

"My lady, all the board was looking into was what we were comparing what was put on the table with. There were a number of workshops, discussions, and interactions."

But she could not explain why there was a special board meeting that was convened by her and a decision was taken to look for an African leasing company despite the fact that only two board members, including Myeni, agreed on this.

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Steinberg provided a copy of minutes that were allegedly taken at the meeting which stated that a resolution was made by the board, pointing out that the minutes were not signed and were not factual.

Myeni also told the court two board members were concerned that the deal was negotiated by three SAA executives who allegedly had limited experience and were not being transparent.

Judge Ronel Tolmay asked Myeni why this was the case when there is no evidence.

Myeni is expected back on the stand on Tuesday.