SAP suspends executives over ‘Gupta kickbacks’

GLOBAL software company SAP says they have seized the computers of four South African executives who have been placed on administrative leave following revelations about SAP’s relationship with a Gupta-linked company.

The company allegedly secured a tender with Transnet through the assistance of the 3D printing company CAD House.

CAD House is owned by President Jacob Zuma’s son‚ Duduzane‚ and has businesses linked to the Gupta’s Sahara Group.

CAD House allegedly secured 10% of SAP’s R100-million deal with Transnet as a commissioning fee.

Leaked Gupta e-mails also show how the controversial family gained access to highly confidential draft contracts between SAP and Eskom.

On Wednesday night, SAP confirmed it had suspended four staff members over the allegations of impropriety.

“What I can say is that the computers of four SAP South African executives‚ who have been put on administrative leave‚ have been obtained for the investigation. We are working to recover this data effectively. We are looking at all elements‚ including e-mails‚” SAP executive board member Adaire FoxMartin said on Thursday in a Skype interview.

“A forensic team is on the ground and reviewing SAP’s data sets.”

But Fox-Martin would reveal little else. “I can only answer questions on the review of SAP South Africa’s deals once the review process has been completed.”

She would not say whether the company would approach South African or international law-enforcement agencies with the findings from its internal probe.

The German-based company will also not say what the terms of reference are for its own internal forensic review. SAP also remained mum on how deals such as those with Transnet and Eskom were secured and how approvals from SAP Global were granted.

The SAP/Eskom contract‚ valued at R130-million‚ was for a SAP management tool that tracks purchasing‚ invoicing and payment documents. — BDLive