Government not planning to sell SAA: Finance Minister

South Africa's Minister of Finance Malusi Gigaba said the Government intends to retain ownership of South African Airways (SAA) (Business Report Online, 26-Oct-2017). Mr Gigaba stated: "SAA has about 10,500 employees and for government to lose SAA would be a huge blow to the economy and to the employees that would lose their jobs and have their families affected. SAA is a beacon and shining spotlight for South Africa and selling it would have a trigger effect on other lenders and people who borrow money from South Africa. Selling SAA would create a very bad impression for our economy". As previously reported by CAPA, the Government intends to "consolidate aviation assets and bring in a strategic equity partner".