A former South African Airways avionics technician was sentenced to 18 years in prison on March 11 for stealing high-value aircraft components linked to a broader criminal syndicate. Lucas Sekae, previously employed by subsidiary South African Airways Technical, was convicted on February 27 on three counts of theft at Kempton Park Regional Court. An investigation by SAA security teams and the South African Police Service between 2019 and 2021 connected him to a syndicate involving private firms and employees. Several others have been arrested and convicted but are awaiting sentencing. Sekae was dismissed in April 2022 following a disciplinary process.