Private sector is definitely interested in SAA, Gordhan says

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on Wednesday maintained that there was credible interest from the private sector in South African Airways, while his finance counterpart insisted that bankrolling the business rescue of the national carrier was a tough choice. "I'm unable at this point in time to give further detail," Gordhan told Parliament's watchdog Standing Committee on Public Accounts as it received a promised update on SAA's future plans. Gordhan said he could not disclose more, so as not to jeopardise the dealings, which are meant to resuscitate the airline mothballed in late September as it ran out of funding for even skeleton operations. "You will hear about this process in the next weeks," he said. Sources close to Gordhan said the prospect of a private partner, rumoured for a few weeks, were "very firm". The minister said the appointment of an interim board for SAA and a competent management team was imminent.<br/>