German-based software giant SAP has appointed 25-year veteran Claas Kuehnemann (pictured) as acting managing director for Africa. This following allegations that the company's South African subsidiary paid a Gupta front R100 million in kickbacks for it to access lucrative state contracts. SAP has initiated an independent investigation into the matter, placing its SAP SA management team on administrative leave while the review is underway.
According to SAP, Kuehnemann, who has been with the company since 1992, will take over all MD responsibilities across the company's Africa portfolio, covering 51 countries. He has held various executive roles at SAP, including senior vice-president of professional services, overseeing SAP's consulting business in EMEA; MD Africa; and MD for the South-East Europe & Middle East region.
Kuehnemann as been quoted as saying:
"The SAP Africa management team will continue to deliver on its promise to help African business run optimally. My interim role is to support our employees, customers and partners across all our business sectors while the due diligence process is conducted."
Meanwhile, Peter David, regional chief financial officer, SAP EMEA, will offer support as acting CFO.
