Airlink case against SAA

Da Silva copied information’ prior to leaving private airline.

- Hein Kaiser

A criminal complaint has been filed against South African Airways (SAA) head of sales and marketing Carla da Silva and several other staff members that report to her.

The charge was laid last week by her former employer, Airlink, and comes on the heels of civil action for the alleged theft of sensitive data from the airline.

The complaint alleges industrial espionage and theft of incorporeal property after Da Silva purportedly copied a key database containing sensitive information belonging to Airlink. It is alleged Da Silva copied the information prior to leaving the private airline's employment late last year.

Airlink chief executive Rodger Foster said the company was compelled to report it as a suspected crime.

"Airlink has reported the matter to the law enforcement authorities for possible prosecution of Ms da Silva and other ex-employees who may be guilty of the same conduct," he said,