flyafrica Ltd, the Mauritius-based investment firm that owns 49% of Zimbabwe flyafrica (Harare International), says it has filed criminal charges against a family member of the carrier's local partner and 51% shareholder, Nu.com. Nu.com is owned by the politically-connected Chakanyuka Karase whose son Matipedza, was behind the now defunct Fresh Air (Zimbabwe) (Harare International).
In a statement, the LCC said it had filed serious fraud and theft charges totalling more than USD140,000 against the unspecified individual and has now suspended Nu.com as its local partner for breach of directorial and fiduciary duties.
"In retaliation, the Zimbabwe partner illegally and unilaterally attempted to surrender our Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to the CAAZ," it said. "This raised concerns within CAAZ about the relationship between flyafrica.com and the local partner."
The airline's AOC has since been suspended but according to flyafrica itself, this is only a temporary set back.
"We anticipate that the temporary flight ban will be lifted shortly. In the interim we have sourced an alternative aircraft from one of our other partners; some operations restarted on October 28 and we expect normal operations from midday Thursday, October 29."
Ironically, the suspension came on the day that rival Fastjet Zimbabwe (FN, Harare International) launched its first commercial flight.
Zimbabwe flyafrica operates a pair of B737-500s on flights from Harare International to Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, Lusaka, and Lubumbashi.
