Chair, the importance of public enterprises to our economy cannot be underscored. As such, we must remain vigilant to ensure that these enterprises are operating effectively and efficiently. It is our concern that Eskom is only the first of our state-owned enterprises to be gripped in crisis. South African Airways, our national carrier, has allowed standards to slip to such an extent that real safety concerns are beginning to be raised by many people.
It has been reported that during a recent flight an SAA pilot elected to take off without warning passengers to fasten their seatbelts, and the same plane made an abrupt about-turn five minutes into flight and landed at high speed, stalling halfway down the runway. On some flights, discoloured and allegedly mould food is served to passengers. Our once proudly South African enterprises that have made such a major contribution in the past to reinforcing international investor confidence in our country are at risk, and yet the government continues to appear unconcerned.
Pilots are leaving SAA in droves. Our technical and maintenance staffs are thin on the ground. We are losing pilots who have up to seven licences. This is an almost irreplaceable commodity, a pilot that can fly seven different aircraft. Yet they are now leaving for other countries.
Whilst I still feel very safe in SAA plane as I stand here today, I am not so sure whether I will still feel that way in six or 12 months from now. The hon Minister for Public Enterprises should be here and should respond to our concerns about these public enterprises. Thank you. [Time expired.]