In a controversial decision that has ignited the ire of several parliamentarians, Mlungwana Vokwana has been appointed for a third term as a non-executive member of the Armscor board.
The announcement was made on December 5 through a cabinet statement, which included the roster of newly approved board members. However, Vokwana's previous tenure has raised questions about legality and governance within the organisation.
Critics point to a cabinet statement dated April 26, 2017, which clearly states that Vokwana has already served two full terms on the Armscor board.
According to the Armscor Act, Section 2 (5) (a), a board member can only serve for three years and may be reappointed for one additional term—meaning Vokwana's third-term appointment could be deemed unlawful.
“The recycling of an old member who has served according to the legally stipulated period is unjustifiable and a clear contravention of the act,” one parliamentarian remarked, requesting anonymity. Furthermore, the conditions surrounding Vokwana's reappointment have been overshadowed by allegations of unethical connections between Vokwana and Armscor's CEO, Solomzi Mbada.
A source close to the situation revealed that Mbada has been protective of Vokwana, allegedly instructing Willem Roberts, Armscor’s Head of Legal, to draft a legal document to legitimise the irregular appointment. This has raised eyebrows, particularly since the Armscor CEO hosted Vokwana as a guest during the African Aerospace and Defence Expo in September 2024, despite Vokwana's term ending in 2020.
The recruitment process itself has been called into question. Reports have surfaced suggesting that the job advertisement for the non-executive positions was issued by Armscor rather than the Ministry of Defence, a significant deviation from procedural norms which require the minister to oversee the appointment process.
“There is no information for enquiries on the advert which speaks to a lack of transparency,” the source added, critical of the absence of an official email for applicants.
Additionally, concerns have been raised about governance protocols being undermined. The Minister of Defence, Angie Motshegka, is accused of compromising the integrity of Armscor's governance structure by permitting such interference from the CEO.
“The CEO cannot appoint a governance structure that will oversee his work,” asserted the unnamed MP. The merger of the roles traditionally held by the company secretary and the CEO has only exacerbated these issues.
These latest allegations are particularly concerning in light of past reports. City Press highlighted an ongoing dispute between CEO Mbada and his board over claims of irregularities surrounding his contract and contentious relationships with Armscor employees.
The growing chorus of dissent among parliamentarians and stakeholders in the defence sector raises questions about the future of governance at Armscor and whether this reappointment heralds a deeper crisis of accountability.
However, responding to The Star, department of defence spokesperson, Onica Kwakwa denied any accusations that Vokwana was irregularly appointed saying every legal process to reappoint him was above board.
“Mr Vokwana was appointed as a non- executive member to the Board of Directors Armscor following a due process that was assumed to get the best mix of requisite skills, experience and competencies to lead the Entity. He responded to the advertisement, published in the Sunday Times newspaper on 1 September 2024, closing on 16 October 2024,” said Kwakwa.
When it comes to allegations that Vokwana enjoys a special relationship with Armscor CEO, Kwakwa said: “We are not aware of any special relationship between Mr Vokwana and the Armscor CEO. As usual, the African Aerospace Defence Expo is blessed with attendance of retired Defence Force Generals and previous Board Members,” she said.
According to the department all the processes to re-appoint Vokwana were followed culminating to his appointment as non executive member due to his expertise and experience.
“Mr Vokwana served in Armscor Board, whose term ended in 2020 and was not part of the previous Board of Directors. His current appointment is a new appointment and not an extension of the previous term he served. Therefore he is eligible for another terms as a non-executive member of the Armscor Board of Directors.
The Star
siyabonga sithole@inl.co.za