New SAP Africa team chosen amidst probe

SAP Africa has announced an interim management team for the continent after four management team members were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of a forensic investigation into allegations related to one of its contracts. This comes in the wake of media reports that raised questions surrounding contracts and third-party business practices in South Africa, and allegations of dealings with the Gupta family. The new management team comprises Ashley Boag as acting chief operating officer; Peter David, chief financial officer (CFO) for SAP EMEA and now acting CFO for Africa; local ICT industry veteran Pieter Bouwer as South African managing director and Claas Kuehnemann as acting managing director: SAP Africa, to whom the rest of the management team reports. Kuehnemann said the priority was to ensure the business continues to focus on driving revenue and growth across its local operations. “It is important to us that all SAP staff, clients, and partners have the support they need and that business continues uninterrupted. We have appointed a strong leadership team to ensure our usual standards of service and strategic support are upheld.”

SAP announced last week that Kuehnemann would take on the role of acting managing director for Africa with immediate effect, while the company conducts its investigation into its South African operations.

Claas joined SAP in South Africa in 1992 and has held executive positions for SAP in South Africa, Europe and the Middle East. – Staff Reporter