Former South African Airways (SAA) Board chairperson Dudu Myeni on Wednesday pleaded guilty to charges of defeating the ends of justice.
Myeni was hauled before the court for deliberately revealing the name of an protected witness known as “Mr. X” at the Zondo Commission inquiry into state capture in 2020.
Justice Raymond Zondo – the chairperson of the state capture inquiry – had ordered that the said witness should be referred to as “Mr X”.
However, after being informed that the identity of Mr. X was not to be disclosed during her testimony, Myeni named the witness on four successive occasions.
The unemployed Myeni, who was legally declared a delinquent director, pleaded poverty in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court, saying she last held a job in 2017.
She was, however, fined R120 000, alternatively two years’ imprisonment, half of which was suspended for five years, on condition that she was not convicted of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice during the period of suspension.
The 58-year-old former SAA head honcho opted for the fine, half of which is suspended.
Commenting on the sentence, Phindi Mjonondwane, NPA Regional Spokesperson-Gauteng Local Division, said: “The NPA welcomes the court’s ruling that is aimed at giving effect to the principle of equality before the law.
“We commend Senior State Advocate Rendani Ndou and investigating officer, Sergeant Mandla Richman Masondo for their effort in securing a ruling that will go a long way in promoting respect for the rule of law.”
