Rumour : Denel Chief fired for new Grintek (SAAB) boss

[Gunship]

Saab of Sweden, which owns 21.1 percent of listed defence and telecommunications group Grintek, would not confirm an approach by public enterprises minister Alec Erwin for discussions on defence parastatal Denel and the future of the local defence industry.

A spokesperson for Saab said yesterday that the company had "nothing to say" about speculation that Denel chief executive Victor Moche was to be dismissed and replaced by Grintek chief executive Shaun Liebenberg.

Earlier this week, Liebenberg declined to comment on the rumour. But he did say he had been approached for discussions with Erwin on the future of the industry.

"Clearly, there are concerns at Denel and not only myself but the Kunene brothers [Grintek's black economic empowerment partners], Saab and a number of other members of the industry have been approached to collectively look at the issues in the industry."

Attempts to obtain comment from the Kunene brothers were unsuccessful.

Liebenberg added that there was a view that if the problems at Denel continued, the rest of the defence industry could not thrive.

"The minister is trying to get a lot of inputs from the private sector, government and from the industry, both local and abroad, on how these issues can be rectified. We're trying to assist and advise."

He added that Grintek was involved in many strategic activities and he was focusing on the company's strategy "until further notice".

Johan van Niekerk, a senior manager at trade union Uasa, said at the weekend that an extraordinary meeting of Denel's board of directors had been called this week to discuss a number of specific things, including "discipline".

Gaynor Kast, the ministerial spokesperson for public enterprise, has confirmed that Erwin would make a number of announcements about the state-owned enterprises, including Denel, during his budget vote speech on Friday.
http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=&fArticleId=2479799

[EX-ATC]

Its true. Should be in the papers today (late afternoon) or tomorrow morning. Efective date is 1 June 05.

[Gunship]

:ok: ahhh for once the messenger does not get shot and he was correct ;)

EDIT : As you said EXATC :ok: http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=235040&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__business/ Grintek chief executive officer Shaun Liebenberg will take over from Victor Moche as CEO of Denel, the state-owned military equipment manufacturing company, as from "the end of May", Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin announced on Friday.

"The task now facing us is to turn Denel\'s fortunes around. Mr Moche has led a process of restructuring in Denel that now has to be taken further and more focus engendered. There is agreement that this will best be done by handing the change baton to a new CEO.

"Accordingly, after a tough and successful stay at Denel, Mr Moche will hand over to Mr Shaun Liebenberg at the end of May," said Erwin.

"The last week has seen much speculation on this move, based on the inevitable sources. I have labelled this as speculation with just cause since as I indicated at the outset, process and individuals have to be respected. The speculation was clearly from self-serving sources and does not credit those sources or the reporters involved.

"The fact of the matter is that a sensible business decision has been made based on the position in front of the board and the shareholder," said Erwin, in his Budget vote in Parliament on Friday morning. - I-Net Bridge

[Gunship]

Never forget the golden hand shake for a job "well done" :yuk:

retoria - Former Denel chief executive Victor Moche, who was fired from his position by Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin on Friday, is ex pected to walk away from the parastatal with a golden handshake of about R3m.

Although the company is expected to begin negotiations for an exit package for Moche in the next few days, City Press has learnt from a reliable source that Erwin's action will cost the parastatal to buy out the former executive who still had more than a year left in his job.

Insiders at the department said "it's widely expected that the cost of paying him out will be in the region of R2.5m to R3m".

Announcing Moche's axing in parliament, Erwin said: "Moche has led a process of restructuring in Denel that now has to be taken further. There is agreement that this will be best done by handing the change baton to a new CEO. Accordingly, after a tough and successful stay at Denel, Moche will hand over to Shaun Liebenberg at the end of May."

This has led to concern at the department about Liebenberg not going through the security vetting process by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA). This is said to be a standard requirement for any high-profile appointment at the arms parastatal.

"It's an open secret that people who need to occupy sensitive positions like that at Denel must first go through security checks by NIA.

"People who work for Denel, as well as any sensitive arms manufacture like Armscor, are high on the shopping list of foreign agents. Liebenberg's appointment could compromise Denel's position," said a source.

NIA spokesperson Lorna Daniels would not confirm whether Liebenberg had gone through a security clearance by the agency.

"The issue of whether Liebenberg has gone through security is something between NIA and the person involved. We don't disclose any information of this nature," she said.

Denel spokesperson Sam Barsch said although Liebenberg had not taken up his job, "it is hoped that type of thing (security checks and vetting) will be done before he takes over".

Barsch said he was not at liberty to speak about the amount Moche would receive as a "golden handshake" and Erwin's spokes person, Gaynor Kast, declined to comment yesterday.

Erwin has come under severe criticism for his replacement of Moche, with some within the department and the ANC saying the axing amounted to "flushing-out black chief executives from government parastatals".

The sources repeated their assertion that the axing of Moche was in line with Erwin's moves. "His actions are anti-African moves which are coated with communist rhetoric."

During his speech, Erwin also announced the removal of his director-general Dr Eugene Mokeyane and his replacement with Portia Molefe as the acting director-general.

[EX-ATC]

Not sure wx Liebenberg is the right person for Denel. A real mr. quick fixer but what about the long term success.

Look at his track record and decide for yourself.

No major qualifications
Volve 2nd hand car sales
Plessey md (what's happened to Plessey?)
Dimention Data ( ")
Grintek (Still to be seen)
Denel ?

[Gunship]

Volvo made it as "Car of the year" ;)

Seriously : I pressume it is purely this "trust " in him from SAAB that got him the job or what ?

[JJflyer]

Graduated from the Rand Afrikaans University with a law degree.
Nissan SA where he rose to Senior GM.
Combined Motor Holdings (Read Volvo)

JJ

[EX-ATC]

Ok you have seen his standard CV.

He has a B Com with some law subjects. But in reality he is not a very popular person in the group. The personal skills of a cactus. Would love to assist him packing and moving his office. But as they say he doen't get paid to be a popular person. All to make the shareholders smile. The main problem is that he doesn't understand the business and technology. Good luck to him and the industry.

[Gunship]

Sounds like Pik Botha :E