Oppenheimers to brief parliament on Fireblade deal
Nicky Oppenheimer and his son, Jonathan, were summoned to appear before committee over operating a private terminal at OR Tambo International Airport without an official agreement
Billionaire businessman Nicky Oppenheimer and his son, Jonathan, have been summoned to appear in parliament on Tuesday to explain how their company, Fireblade Aviation, came to operate a private terminal at OR Tambo International Airport without an official agreement granting them permission to do so. Parliament’s portfolio committee on home affairs is seeking clarity on the drawn-out matter between Fireblade and home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba. In early 2016, Gigaba granted Fireblade approval to offer an ad hoc international customs and immigration service at OR Tambo International Airport. This is according to papers the company filed in the Pretoria High Court in November 2016 after Gigaba tried to backtrack on the agreement. In October 2017 the high court ruled that Gigaba had lied under oath and violated the constitution in reneging on the agreement, and that Fireblade could continue operating its VIP facility at the airport.
Gigaba appealed that ruling and concurrent...
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