Ousted Kelly Group deputy CEO Mthunzi Mdwaba may face a disciplinary enquiry in the next few weeks, says the listed recruitment company. However, it has yet to clarify why he has been removed from the company's board.
The Black IT Forum (BITF), of which Mdwaba was previously chairman, is calling for clarity around the issue. It says Kelly needs to tell the public what is going on, because it is a listed company and Mdwaba is a leading entrepreneur in the ICT sector.
Mdwaba was “removed” from his role as Kelly Group deputy CEO and board director last Tuesday. In a vague statement issued to the market, Kelly announced Mdwaba had been “removed” from the board, but remains in the company's employ. It never officially referred to the removal as a “suspension”; however, this seems to have been the case, as Kelly now says his “suspension” has been lifted.
While neither party is willing to comment on the reasons for Mdwaba's removal, it is understood that Mdwaba has yet to be charged.
Mdwaba became Kelly's deputy CEO when the recruitment company bought IT training firm Torque IT two years ago for R38 million. He was meant to step into current CEO Grenville Wilson's shoes in October. It now seems unlikely this will happen.
ITWeb reported that Mdwaba was removed from the Kelly board because of a personality conflict between him and Wilson. Other board members are said to be unhappy with the infighting, but Kelly is not commenting on the alleged conflict.
Not at work
Last Friday, the Kelly Group lifted Mdwaba's suspension “with immediate effect pending due process”. This announcement was made to staff in an internal memo, but was not made public through the JSE's Stock Exchange News Service.
Despite Mdwaba's suspension being lifted, he is not currently at either Kelly, or Torque IT, where he works on Tuesdays and Thursdays as CEO. There are questions as to what role he would fill even if he was in the office. Mdwaba confirms he is at home, but refuses to explain why he has not been at the office.
Mdwaba's role at Torque IT is to conclude deals with ICT companies that require training. His role is vital, because Torque IT agreed to revenue warranties when it was bought out by the Kelly Group. He is still listed as CEO on Torque IT's Web site.
Clarification needed
BITF secretary general Motse Mfuleni says Kelly needs to clarify what is happening. He calls on the listed company to publicly state what Mdwaba is being charged with, and when this will happen.
Mfuleni says the forum is concerned because Mdwaba is a leading figure in the ICT sector and an empowerment advocate. “Mthunzi's record in the industry speaks for itself,” he says.
Mdwaba has held high-profile positions in the ICT sector, and is a former national chairman of the Black IT Forum, and a member of the ICT charter steering committee. He was also involved in the Innovation Hub, Productivity SA and is currently VP of Business Unity SA.
In July last year, Mdwaba was appointed a member of the International Labour Organisation's governing body representing SADC business.
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