The board of Telkom has suspended the company’s chief financial officer, Jacques Schindehütte, pending a disciplinary process.

The board was recently made aware of certain allegations and appointed an independent law firm to investigate them. The results of the investigation were presented to the board, and the board took professional advice about the correct way to deal with the report.

The board was advised to suspend Mr Schindehütte, pending a disciplinary hearing.

“The board of directors is determined to act responsibly and to uphold all governance requirements,” says Telkom Group CEO Sipho Maseko.

“We have a duty to investigate and to test the validity of allegations which are brought to our attention through an appropriate process. We will do this fairly, without favour or prejudice.

“The board and the company will ensure that the correct procedures will be implemented to manage this matter in a fair manner.

“All our stakeholders will be informed of the outcome of the disciplinary hearing once the matter is concluded. Until then, the company is not in a position to provide more information,” Maseko says.

Telkom has appointed its deputy chief financial officer, Deon Fredericks, as acting chief financial officer.