Foskor executive remains suspended after firearm threats in boardroom charges withdrawn

Suspended vice president for human capital and corporate affairs at Foskor, Vincent Matlala, has alleged that criminal charges laid against him earlier this year for pointing a firearm at a colleague had been concocted by a disgruntled subordinate at the State-Owned Entity.

Matlala’s assertions come in the wake of the charges being withdrawn last month at the Midrand Magistrate Court late last month. 

Speaking to Business Report this week, Matlala, said he had lodged a disciplinary and misconduct grievance against a colleague for processing inappropriate payments to employees who were ineligible for such benefits, including dubious travel claims and other serious allegations of misconduct.

Foskor is a South African phosphate producer and fertilizer manufacturer. It mines and beneficiates phosphate rock at Phalaborwa in Limpopo, from where it is carried by rail to the production facility in Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal.

Matlala said he had not faced any allegations of corruption from Foskor pertaining to his conduct or relating to the failed 2019 Kopano Foskor Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) as he joined Foskor in 2023, though he confirmed playing a role in its resuscitation.

"Indeed, I was hard at work to resuscitate the Employee's and Host Communities's Empowerment Share Scheme, and records on the work I have done on this are available from Foskor; the majority shareholder IDC, as well as from the engagement sessions I facilitated with with rightful beneficiaries of the Empowerment Scheme, including Employees' Trustees, as well as Host Community Trustees," Matlala said.

However, he said there has never been charged with wielding a firearm in the boardroom nor in the employer's premises. 

"The SAPS investigated the matter, resulting in court proceedings where the charges made against me were withdrawn as such charges were baseless and unfounded," he said.

"The employer also subjected these allegations to an independent forensic firm, where I was cleared of allegations made. I was relieved of my duties pending these investigations, and I cooperated fully with the investigators."

Foskor group manager corporate affairs, Vhontsia Ramashia, said Matlala remains on suspension pending an internal disciplinary process into allegations of misconduct.

"This process is entirely separate from any criminal proceedings, which fall outside the company jurisdiction. This is being addressed strictly in accordance with company policy and the highest standards of corporate governance. No further comments will be provided," Ramashia said.

As Matlala waits for the outcome of the internal review, he is adamant about correcting what he perceives as a smear campaign against him, rooted in his attempts to address misconduct within the enterprise.

According to Matlala, he lodged disciplinary and misconduct allegations against a payroll manager for a variety of financial misconduct allegations.

"I invoked disciplinary steps against him for serious misconduct, including processing material undue payments to certain employees; dishonest travel claim for himself; and other allegations," Matlala said.

"He rebelled against these disciplinary steps by lodging unfounded allegations of misconduct against me with the employer, as well as with the SAPS." 

BUSINESS REPORT