Cape Town - The hunt for a new South African Airways CEO got under way on Sunday, Business Day reported.
This came two months after chairperson Vuyisile Kona was called in to stabilise the ailing national carrier.
According to the report, the post was already being advertised during a week that exposed tensions between acting CEO Kona and the board of SAA, chaired by Dudu Myeni.
The ructions apparently include the board controversially overturning Kona's decisions.
Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba's spokesperson, Mayihlome Tshwete, told the publication: "There's a tendency to over-expose what can be normal occurrences in tough situations, which SAA is having.
"We don't know of any great tensions between the acting CEO and the board. If at any point there is difference of opinion about the way forward or there are frustrations about the process of turning things around it should not create an impression there is a major fallout."
Gigaba gave a "clear directive" to the board to find a permanent CEO by the end of March, Tshwete was quoted as saying.
SAA has seen a management overhaul since Cheryl Carolus quit as chairperson, along with other board members in September. Kona succeeded her, but he was then made acting CEO when Siza Mzimela left, citing lack of government support.
It was not clear whether Kona was in line to be CEO or chairperson, the report said.
Kona reportedly refused to comment.