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Johannesburg - South African Airways has hit back at a Sunday Times report about an "air-miles scandal" featuring one of the airline's fraud investigators.
The newspaper reported that SAA CEO Khaya Ngqula "dished out free rides to a man he hired to spy on his staff".
According to the Sunday Times, SAA last month reinstated more than 400 000 expired Voyager miles for investigator Lance Epstein. This was done at the instruction of Ngqula and in breach of SAA Voyager policy, which does not allow for expired miles to be reinstated.
Epstein is the managing member of Zetetic Incorporated, a consultant to SAA. The company investigated cases that include credit card fraud, baggage pilferage, and fraud relating to Voyager miles.
The Sunday Times reported that Epstein has two Voyager accounts totalling more than two million miles, despite Voyager policy specifically stating "only one Voyager membership enrolment per person can be accepted".
Air miles can be exchanged for, among other things, tickets to local and foreign destinations.
In a statement released on Sunday, SAA called the article "irresponsible, inflammatory and highly misleading".
According to the statement, Epstein applied in March 2008 for an extension of his Voyager miles, which were due to expire on March 31.
Although approval for the extension of the Voyager miles was given, the transfer did not take place in time. Ngqula then authorised the extension of the miles.
"This was done in line with existing Voyager policies. Further, the CEO has the right to exercise his discretion on extending and reinstating air-miles upon request."
According to SAA, the second Voyager account set up in Epstein's name was issued as part of an investigation into fraudulent activities in the Voyager programme.
"Details of this sensitive investigation cannot be revealed as investigations are still under way."
SAA said the Directorate of Special Operations was involved in the investigation.
"It is clear from the misleading and inaccurate information published recently about SAA that the motive behind this apparent campaign is to bring the airline into disrepute and demoralise employees," SAA said in its statement.
- Fin24.com