Denel staff received just 20% of salaries in May – Daily Friend

Mkhatini added that the situation would not likely be resolved soon: 'As the company's liquidity status worsen (sic), the payment of salaries for the upcoming months will continue to be a challenge to honour.'

He appealed for 'extra ordinary understanding and continuous support as we navigate through the unprecedented storm'.

Denel is South Africa's state-owned armaments firm, and has been beset by financial troubles for some time. Staff have had to accept only a portion of their salaries for a year; the last full payment was in May 2020.

Public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan recently pointed out that Denel owed its employees some R500m in salaries. 'The business has subsequently experienced a loss of critical skills to both domestic and foreign companies,' he said.

Read more:

• Denel boss Stephan Burger caves in, admits breaking rules to give R195m to 'corrupt' Zuma jnr
• Catch up here: Johannesburg's corrupt mayor, dirty deals at Denel, EOH clean-up – #StateCaptureinquiry
• Denel cold shoulder as SAA, Eskom grab bailouts – SOE in 'spiral of terminal decline'