(1) The Department is unable to provide this information due to the industrially charged environment at SAA and the risk that such a disclosure could pose to employees concerned. However, DPE can confirm that the flight was operated by an experienced Captain, First officer, and Flight engineer.
(2) SAA has been utilized, as a 100% government-owned entity, at the request of government, on numerous occasions, in supporting the pandemic related efforts: repatriation of citizens, collection of PPEs etc. SAA has also assisted international organisations such as the World Food Program to distribute its aid to neighbouring countries in the continent.
(3) SAA complied with SAA requirements to operate the flight. The exemptions obtained were in relation to crew re-currency in the following areas: