The appointment was not finalised because the transport department requested information to verify her academic qualifications, which was “never submitted until the former minister was removed”.
“The removal of the former minister meant that the process could not be finalised as the terms of office would have been linked.”
READ MORE: Myeni spotted sipping wine on day she was too sick to travel
Pro-Zuma stalwart Myeni would have earned more than R1 million a year as Maswanganyi’s special adviser, according to the Sunday Times.
“I needed someone with aviation experience. I appointed her as one of my advisers because as a minister I am allowed to appoint a maximum of three advisers without advertising the posts‚” the Sunday Times quoted Maswanganyi as saying in December.
The Sunday Times reported that Myeni would have yielded influence through her advice to Maswanganyi without having any direct contact with SAA.
Myeni was board chairperson at SAA for nine years. She was removed from her position in October 2017.