Denel, South Africa’s state owned arms manufacturer faces hard-hitting criticism after appointing Group Chief Executive Officer Daniel du Toit. The appointment follows Zwelakhe Ntshepe’s resignation from the post after being at the helm for 20 years. The Liberated Metalworkers Union of South Africa (Limusa) rejected the appointment of Du Toit and said that Denel is undermining transformation.
Mpho Hlongwane, Limusa’s Gauteng Provincial Secretary says “Limusa’s view was clearly articulated by the General Secretary of the Union representing all of us. We are clear as Limusa and a complaint was launched by our shop Stewart to Denel with regards to transformation. There was also an independent investigation which made it clear and proved that Limusa is correct, in almost all Denel’s divisions you will find black people who are acting in a senior position. For an example the Chief HR of Denel is currently acting, but when they want to appoint a full-time employee in that position they will make sure they go and look for a white person who will occupy that particular position. So, there is no transformation at Denel and the company is simply unwilling to do so. In fact, on documents when addressing the issue of employment equity they will show you that they want to transform the organization but when it comes to the practicality of it they are not doing that.
According to Denel Du Toit was appointed following a thorough recruitment process that searched internally and externally for the most suitable candidate and Du Toit emerged as the top candidate who the Board recommended to the Minister of Public Enterprises which was subsequently approved by the Cabinet.
In a statement sent to Transform SA Magazine Denel emphasized that they uphold transformation within their organization. “For Denel, transformation of our workforce profile is a non-negotiable legislative imperative that is implemented in a responsible manner across the group. The decision to appoint Mr. Du Toit was made with our eyes open to the racial and gender imbalances in our country and in the knowledge that we are accountable to the country on the decisions we make as a board,” said Ms Monhla Hlahla, Denel’s Board Chairman.