The Citizen reports that pilots, air traffic controllers, cabin crew, flight engineers and other aviation personnel who have been examined by a former senior Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) have been urged to present themselves for re-examination and certification.

This after the SA Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) on Tuesday said it was finalising an investigation into alleged improper and fraudulent conduct by Dr Nonhlanhla Sishaba, who was designated to ensure aviation personnel, including pilots, meet the required standards for a valid license. The SACAA said the probe followed a series of non-compliance and enforcement actions taken by the regulator against Sishaba. SACAA spokesperson Phindiwe Gwebu said the SACAA online system flagged that Sishaba continued to examine and issue medical certificates, in gross violation of civil aviation regulations. “Under the regulations, all the certificates issued from 1 April 2024 are therefore invalid. All license holders who received medical certification from Dr Sishaba from this date must present themselves for re-examination and certification to a current and valid DAME within the next 15 working days. Further investigations identified the alleged use of non-medical and unauthorised personnel for conducting medical assessments and filing of fraudulent and incomplete medical reports in the SACAA medical system,” Gwebu indicated. Sishaba’s designation is under scrutiny due to ongoing investigations into alleged improper and fraudulent conduct.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Faizel Patel at The Citizen

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page