Eventually the court will hear Myeni’s version
On the second day of Dudu Myeni’s testimony in the Delinquent Director case brought against her by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) and the South Africa Airways Pilots Association (SAAPA), Myeni faced cross examination by the plaintiffs Advocate Carol Steinberg. Advocate Steinberg focused on Ms Myeni’s role in the illegal appointment of BNP Capital in 2016. Ms Myeni’s version included the fact that she did not make any decisions alone and that this was an action of the whole board. She also stated that the board supported the idea of an African Aircraft Leasing company even though South African Airways would be required to pay substantial predelivery payments (PDP’s).
The balance of Ms Myeni’s testimony focused on her non attendance of earlier court preceedings. Advocate Steinberg asked Ms Myeni why she did not initially attend preceedings. When pressed to respond, Ms Myeni stated that she did not believe it was fair that she was being held personally liable, and not the rest of the SAA board. Advocate Steinberg clarified that it was merely due to resource constraints that OUTA had not challenged all of the SAA board members. Dudu Myeni added that she felt it unfair that the rest of the board members were still protected by SAA’s board liablity insurance, whilst she was not.
During the courts lunch break, Dudu Myenis supporters scuffled outside with some of OUTA and SAAPA’s legal team, after her supporters confronted Advocate Carol Steinberg on her line of questioning. Advocate Steinberg raised her concern regarding her teams safety at the preceedings to Judge Ronel Tolmay, who has agreed to arrange additional security in the court from Monday. “We will not tolerate any intimidation or threats from Dudu Myeni’s supporters,” stated Wayne Duvenage, OUTA CEO. “We thank the judge for taking a strong stand against this action, and will be considering legal action against these individuals.”