Cabinet has welcomed the conclusion of the sales and purchase agreement for South African Airways (SAA) by the Department of Public Enterprises and Takatso Consortium.

Cabinet said in a statement on Thursday that the next step in the deal to sell 51% of the government's stake in SAA was left to regulatory bodies to approve.  

The department announced the decision to get an equity partner for SAA last year.

The airline would not be getting any further bailouts, and Takatso Consortium's takeover of a portion of SAA was seen as a move to help rescue the struggling airline.

Cabinet also discussed other matters at its meeting this week.

The government welcomed the 2022 Budget Speech delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday.

Cabinet said the latest budget signalled the government's commitment to fiscal discipline.

Xenophobia

Cabinet also strongly condemned what it deemed as rising outrage about migration. 

In recent weeks, the country had seen protests and statements promoting anti-immigrant sentiments.

Cabinet said the government had laws to deal with migration.

"To ensure that migration issues are addressed orderly, the government recently released the draft National Labour Migration Policy for public comment, which provides a framework and the legal basis to regulate the extent to which employers can employ foreign nationals in their establishments while also protecting the rights of migrants," it said.

The government had also condemned the recent rise in racial tensions witnessed in some schools. It said the interests of the pupils should be placed first.

Covid-19

On Covid-19, Cabinet welcomed the rising number of vaccinated South Africans. 

Over 31-million vaccine doses had been administered so far, with a total of 17-million people vaccinated.

The government had also decided to reduce the number of days between doses - to 21 from 42 days.

Cabinet had also approved the publishing of the NWRS-3 for public comment. The document was aimed at strengthening water quality management in the country.