Takatso Aviation being an equitable partner to merge with state airline South African Airways is just another form of state capture.

This is the assertion of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa).

The union says that Takatso Aviation has not provided viable proof that it can be an equitable partner.

A week ago, the Competition Commission announced it would provisionally approve a recommendation to merge the two companies to lessen competition in the market.

But Numsa claims the deal was engineered by Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan for untoward motives.

If the deal is approved by the Competition Tribunal, Takatso Aviation would hold a 51% stake in South African Airlines.

The union now wants government to stop the merger.

It says that a commission of inquiry will have to be set up if the deal is allowed to go further without being checked.