Former SAA acting CEO Matshela Seshibe shown the door - TimesLIVE

Former SAA acting CEO Matshela Seshibe has been dismissed from Air Chefs after the company’s board accepted a recommendation by judge Basheer Waglay that his employment be terminated.

Seshibe confirmed the dismissal, saying he was notified of the board’s decision yesterday.

In a letter signed by chair Mongezi India, the board said it had considered Waglay’s disciplinary outcome, dated October 28, at a meeting on October 30 and resolved to accept his recommendation. However, it reduced Waglay’s recommended three months’ notice to one month, citing the company’s financial position and liquidity challenges.

The letter formally terminates Seshibe’s employment with Air Chefs, SAA’s catering subsidiary, where he was CEO before being appointed as acting CEO of the airline.

SAA spokesperson Mphilo Dlamini said while the airline was “aware of enquiries regarding Mr Matshela Seshibe”, it was an internal employment matter and therefore could not be commented on.

The termination notice does not detail the charges against Seshibe or Waglay’s findings.

Among the charges he faced was failing to formally declare and manage a potential conflict of interest regarding his close relationship with SAA executive Zandile Mzilikazi, who is now acting CEO of Air Chefs. Seshibe was also charged with approving an ad hoc salary adjustment for Mzilikazi without authorisation from the board.

His dismissal comes after he withdrew a court challenge against SAA’s decision to exclude him from interviews for the permanent group CEO position. He was placed on special leave in August when disciplinary proceedings were instituted against him.

The dismissal letter advises Seshibe that he may challenge the decision by referring a dispute to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration within 30 days.

Seshibe told the Sunday Times yesterday that he disputed the dismissal and was considering legal action. He maintained that Waglay found no dishonesty, corruption, fraud, theft or personal enrichment and argued that his contribution and the circumstances in which he was appointed to lead SAA’s turnaround deserve proper scrutiny.

“I find it both curious and disappointing that so much of what was a private matter between the company and me has leaked in the public domain over the past few weeks,” he said.