SA man suspended over Facebook post

A senior inspector at the South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been suspended after he wrote negative comments about his seniors on Facebook.

The CAA confirmed on Wednesday that he had been suspended pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

It would appear that the inspector, who was working for the CAA's department of flight operations, referred to incompetence at his workplace on the social network on Saturday afternoon.

There was no mention of the CAA or specific colleagues.

There was also no mention in his profile or on the page that he worked for the authority - only that he was a contract pilot.

Internal problems

Someone presumably sent the Facebook comment to his seniors, who confronted him about it.

A senior manager mentioned it before a meeting, during which he was handed his suspension letter.

According to informed sources, the incident is one of many internal problems that have led to a flare-up at the CAA over the past few weeks.

The head of flight security resigned suddenly about two weeks ago.

Obert Chakarisa had been in several posts at the CAA over the past 14 years.

Chakarisa was believed to be furthering his career elsewhere.