UNHAPPY RUMBLINGS within the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) have led to the suspension of CEO, Neels Hubinger, and the initiation of a high-level probe into certain issues. PPECB board chairperson, Andile Maxwell Hawes, confirmed the suspension in writing late last Thursday (April 26). He says Hubinger was “temporarily relieved” from duty on March 22 “to permit investigations of certain allegations against him. The PPECB has commissioned a forensic investigation by Capebased law firm Bowman Gilfillan. “Following the findings of the investigation, an internal enquiry was convened to allow Mr Hubinger the opportunity to answer to the charges against him. The process is currently under way and will be concluded shortly,” he told FTW. Hawes, who represents the citrus industry on the board and is attached to the Durban-based Citrus Growers Association, says the board’s approach is based on the need for full transparency and accountability to the public. “The business of the PPECB has not been set back by the suspension of the CEO as business is reliant not on an individual but on a team,” he says, adding he has full confidence in the board and the executive management team (under acting CEO, Dr Gerrit Bruwer), to deliver government’s mandate effectively and efficiently. Hawes says the forensic investigation started immediately after the Easter long weekend and that he expects the internal hearing to be wrapped up after May 11. Dr Bruwer preferred not to discuss the scope of the Bowman Gilfillan investigation but confirmed that the enquiry was headed by a chairman independent of the PPECB. Rumours about Hubinger’s suspension have been rife in the fruit industry for several weeks, one player suggesting it has been held so close to the chest one cannot but help think the PPECB “is intent on sweeping everything under the blanket.” However, a senior source who should know what is happening within the statutory organisation, told FTW there had been a degree of unhappiness over people issues – “a lot of unhappy workers and the board wished to find out what was going on. “The staff was unhappy with the way things were organised and the way they were treated which could really amount to a whole management issue so one really needs to understand what has been happening.” With an annual income of R100 million a year, the PPECB controls all perishable exports from South Africa, the current value around R9 billion a year. It serves the interests of several sectors, including citrus, deciduous, grapes, flower, dairy and vegetable.
