Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) says claims that it had falsely accused two of its white managers of racism, cannot be discussed.
“ATNS is in no position to discuss the merits of internal disciplinary processes – currently under way – against Mr Johnny Smit and Mr Leon Altree,” it said in a statement.
“Even if we had an iota of desire to do so… the ‘sub judice’ rule applies.
“We can nonetheless confirm that the two individuals are facing very serious allegations which might lead to their dismissal,” ATNS told Sapa.
Smit and Altree face charges of racism related to separate incidents in which air traffic controllers allegedly jeopardised air safety with inappropriate air traffic instructions.
Smit, an air traffic controller manager, and Altree, an acting operational manager, recommended disciplinary action against four black air traffic controllers.
But instead of taking disciplinary action against the black air traffic controllers, ATNS charged Smith and Altree with racism and suspended them.
One of the charges involved an incident at the OR Tambo International Airport in June 2013, when an the air traffic controller allegedly almost caused a fatal plane crash by giving a Boeing 777-200 permission to take off while allowing a smaller plane to land on the same runway at the same time.
Smit and Altree recommended that disciplinary steps by taken against the black controller, but are now accused of double standards.
ATNS says the two whites are racist because they make different recommendations regarding violations according to race while ignoring the seriousness of respective violations.
ATNS said it wanted to put it on the record that all aviation-related safety incidents were reported to and investigated by the SA Civil Aviation Authority.
“We would also like to assure the general public/passengers that at no stage were their lives and/or safety compromised [in the incidents],” it said.
“After the conclusion of the aforementioned disciplinary process against Messrs Smit and Altree, ATNS will be in a position to comment on any matter that may need clarity.”