Skydive South Africa Code of Conduct
Issued by: Skydive South Africa
Compliant with: SACAA Part 149
Ref: SSA SACAA ARO 014
Date: 19 December 2025
Version: 1.0
1. Purpose
This Code establishes the behavioural, ethical, operational, financial, and governance standards expected of all Executives, office-bearers, and members of SSA SACAA ARO 014. This code of Conduct is only applicable to SSA SACAA ARO 014.
It defines:
- The authority and powers of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO);
- Responsibilities, ethical standards, and expected conduct of all members;
- Obligations regarding criminal conduct, fraud, allegations, due diligence, and financial integrity;
- Internal disciplinary processes, protective measures, and limited rights of appeal;
- Confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and compliance requirements.
This Code complements SSA’s Constitution, Manual of Procedures (MOP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), safety management systems, and Part 149 regulatory obligations.
2. Scope
This Code applies to SSA SACAA ARO 014:
- All members of SSA’s Executive Committee;
- All office-bearers and sub-committee members;
- All full, associate, and temporary members acting in any capacity representing SSA, including participation in parachuting operations or SSA-sanctioned activities.
Compliance is a condition of holding office, exercising delegated authority, or maintaining membership.
3. CEO Authority — Final Executive Power and Override
3.1 The CEO is the principal executive authority
Responsible for safety, compliance, operational integrity, governance, and financial stewardship.
3.2 The CEO has the authority to:
- Make, override, or suspend decisions relating to safety, operations, governance, finance, or discipline;
- Suspend or reverse actions of any Executive, office-bearer, committee, or member to protect life, compliance, organisational reputation, or public interest;
- Issue directives binding on all members.
3.3 CEO overrides are final within SSA governance.
3.4 Consultation with Executives is encouraged but not mandatory in urgent or safety/financial-critical situations.
4. Responsibilities
All members of SSA SACAA ARO 014 must:
- Act with honesty, integrity, loyalty, and good faith;
- Prioritise safety, regulatory compliance, and participant welfare;
- Make evidence-based, documented decisions;
- Disclose conflicts of interest promptly;
- Maintain confidentiality of organisational, financial, and safety information;
- Support lawful directives of the CEO;
- Promote professionalism, inclusion, and respect;
- Demonstrate financial responsibility and transparency.
5. Expected Conduct
Members must not:
- Publicly undermine or discredit SSA, the CEO, executives, office-bearers, or other members;
- Act beyond delegated authority;
- Seek personal gain from SSA position;
- Falsify records, safety data, or financial information;
- Harass, discriminate, intimidate, or victimise others;
- Obstruct investigations, audits, or due process.
6. Decision-Making & Escalation
6.1 Standard Governance Process: Follow Constitution, Standing Orders, and record-keeping requirements.
6.2 Mandatory Escalation: Any matter involving safety risk, regulatory non-compliance, significant financial exposure, or reputational damage must be escalated immediately to the CEO, Safety Officer, and Quality Manager.
6.3 Emergency Action: The CEO may immediately suspend operations, ground activities, or remove persons from duty in urgent safety, compliance, or financial-risk scenarios.
7. Grounds for Suspension or Disciplinary Action
- Gross misconduct, wilful insubordination, or disregard for CEO directives;
- Endangering parachuting safety;
- Fraud, theft, embezzlement, or misuse of SSA assets;
- Criminal behaviour prejudicial to SSA;
- Falsifying or suppressing incident, safety, or financial records;
- Serious breaches of confidentiality;
- Persistent failure to perform duties;
- Harassment, discrimination, or abuse;
- Breach of this Code, MOP, SOPs, Constitution, or applicable law.
8. Criminal Allegations, Fraud & Financial Integrity
8.2 Vetting and Financial Checks
Pre-membership and role-specific vetting may include criminal records, prior disciplinary history, reference checks, credit and debt assessment, and insolvency checks.
8.3 Obligations
- Disclose bankruptcy, insolvency, unpaid debts, or financial misconduct immediately.
- Cooperate with audits, asset verification, and due diligence investigations.
- Ensure all SSA financial reporting is accurate and lawful.
8.5 Duty of Disclosure
Members must report arrests, charges, pending criminal proceedings, convictions, or any matter materially affecting suitability for role. Failure to disclose constitutes misconduct.
9. Disciplinary Procedure
9.1 Initial Action: CEO may impose protective measures with written notice.
9.3 Full Investigation: Impartial panel collects evidence. Target completion: 28 days.
9.7 Limited Right of Appeal: Permitted only for procedural irregularity, new material evidence, or demonstrable factual errors. CEO-appointed panel; CEO’s final decision binding.
14. Severability
Invalid provisions do not affect the validity of the remainder of the Code.
15. Acknowledgement
“I acknowledge the authority of the CEO of Skydive South Africa. I agree to follow all lawful directives and abide by the SSA Code of Conduct. I understand the CEO holds final decision-making authority and may override Executive decisions where necessary.”
