GAAL'S FATAL GROUNDHOG DAY: LIMPOPO BLEEDS AS CORRUPTION CONTINUES TO KILL

By Mpho Dube — Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.

As the world bid farewell to the festive season and welcomed a new year, the people of Limpopo were left to grapple with a harsh reality: their province is still reeling from the devastating impact of a corruption scandal that has crippled their airport and strangled their economy.

It's been over two weeks since The Azanian broke the story of GAAL's brazen theft of Polokwane International Airport's Instrument Landing System (ILS), a R30 million asset purchased in 2005, and still, nothing has been done to hold those responsible accountable.

The people of Limpopo are waking up to a bitter truth: their province, which gave the African National Congress a landslide 74% victory in the last elections, is being stripped of its lifeline while a rival DA-led province reaps the benefits.

The scandal revolves around the decommissioning and illegal donation of Polokwane International Airport's ILS, and the subsequent silence of GAAL officials who have refused to answer for their actions.

A confidential letter dated 8 July 2025, signed by GAAL's CEO, Ms. M. Matli, confirms the donation of the ILS parts to Cape Town International Airport, exposing a premeditated decision to transfer valuable equipment without public or parliamentary oversight. Investigations reveal that the ILS was fully functional until 2024, yet GAAL deliberately decommissioned it, writing it off at a book value of R1.5 million.

The consequences are severe: Limpopo's economy, poised to attract R170 billion in investments, is now threatened by an airport that cannot safely accommodate flights. Premier Phophi Ramathuba condemned the mismanagement, stating, "If we give you a job and you fail to do it, then you are not worth it."

The silence of GAAL's CEO and spokesperson is deafening. When confronted with questions about the decision-making process, procurement irregularities, and technical assessments, they responded with selective silence, ignoring direct questions about the technical report, assessing company's qualifications, and approval process for the donation.

This scandal is not merely an aviation issue; it is a betrayal of public trust, an assault on a province's economic future, and a blatant example of political favoritism that punishes loyal voters.

The public demands immediate and decisive action. The suspension of CEO Mokgadi Matli pending criminal and forensic investigations is a bare minimum. The publication of all technical reports, asset registers, and memoranda related to the ILS is a matter of urgency. The return of the ILS to Polokwane or full replacement funded by GAAL is a non-negotiable demand. Criminal charges against executives for theft, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty are a moral imperative.

The people of Limpopo will not be silenced. They will not be ignored. They will not be victimized. The Azanian will continue to expose the truth, hold power to account, and fight for the rights of Limpopo's people to receive the services and infrastructure they deserve.

The Azanian's investigation has revealed that the ILS was decommissioned without a technical report or assessment, the donation was made without Treasury approval or parliamentary oversight, GAAL's CEO and spokesperson have refused to answer questions about the scandal, the people of Limpopo are being denied access to safe and reliable air travel, and the province's economy is being strangled by corruption and mismanagement.

The Azanian calls on the people of Limpopo to stand up and demand justice. We will not rest until those responsible are held accountable and the province's assets are protected. The truth is clear: GAAL's actions are a clear example of corruption and political favoritism.

The people of Limpopo deserve better. The Azanian will continue to shine a light on this scandal and demand action.

As the new year begins, the people of Limpopo are asking: what's next? Will GAAL's executives be held accountable, or will they continue to operate with impunity? The Azanian will be watching, and we will continue to report on this developing story.

Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.