Ramaphosa mum on possible Telkom sale to fund SAA
The topic of a bailout for the cash-strapped South African Airways (SAA) was a hot topic in Parliament on Wednesday.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it is in possession of a secret document which suggests government is planning on providing the national carrier with a further bailout.
DA MP Alf Lees says the document indicates finance minister Malusi Gigaba is planning to give SAA a R10billion bailout.
This was revealed during a question and answer session with deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa.
Government allegedly plans to sell Telkom shares to assist SAA, according to the document.
Government has 40% shares in the telecommunications company. The shares are worth a reported R14billion.
SAA is R6.8billion in the red.
The DA confronted Ramaphosa on the matter in Parliament.
Ramaphosa was asked whether he supports the sale of a good asset to fund a bad asset.
The deputy president said: "I don't even know what document he has. If he has a document that is marked secret and you are not a member of the executive you could be charged and go to prison."
Ramaphosa says the matter around state-owned enterprises is something that is continuously discussed.
However, DA Chief Whip John Steenhuisen argued that members are protected and that they shouldn't be threatened.