THE confusion surrounding the suspension of three top executives from state-owned firm Denel deepened this week, with Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown citing reasons for their suspension — which have never been put to them — and claiming the three are holding up the disciplinary process.The executives — CE Riaz Saloojee, chief financial officer Fikile Mhlontlo and company secretary Elizabeth Africa — were suspended in September but are yet to be called to a disciplinary hearing.They were removed three months after the installation of a new board by Ms Brown. The action against them preceded Denel’s irregular formation of a joint venture with a Hong Kong based company, VR Laser Asia, owned by a close associate of the Gupta family, Salim Essa.It has been speculated in African National Congress circles that their removal was to clear the way for the transaction.Briefing parliament’s portfolio committee on public enterprises on Wednesday, Ms Brown said the disciplinary hearing ha...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.