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SA government mediating to help SAA, mining companies recover billions owed by Zimbabwe
By Agencies
CAPE TOWN: The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said that it had been facilitating discussions between ministers at binational commission meetings to get Zimbabwe to release funds owed to South African businesses.
This includes national carrier South African Airways (SAA).
In April, Parliament heard that SAA’s long-term sustainability was impacted by millions owed to it by foreign countries.
At the time, the Auditor-General’s office said Zimbabwe owed the airline more than R900 million in ticket sales.
On Tuesday, Dirco said recouping toll monies from the Beitbridge border was also problematic, while South African mining companies faced an uphill battle to get their money repatriated.
Chief Director Nyameka Goso said Minister Ronald Lamola had been writing letters and setting up meetings between ministers to reach agreements on the repayment of the monies owed.
“It is very difficult in some of the cases to force them to fully implement some of the decisions, and the changes that also happen in the countries; specific decisions are not fully implemented,” Goso said.
Standing Committee on Appropriations chairperson Mmusi Maimane appeared doubtful that the monies would ever be repaid and questioned whether the department could impose punitive action.
The outcome of these discussions remains unclear, as the committee continued the meeting with no media presence allowed.