Africa\u2019s biggest fund manager has been thrown into further turmoil after firing an assistant portfolio manager who warned that the Public Investment Corp moved too quickly when investing in a little-known technology company.<\/p>\n
The PIC, which oversees R2.13 trillion ($146 billion) of mainly South African government worker pensions, has been the subject of a commission of inquiry and has faced allegations of misconduct, political interference and breaches of corporate governance.<\/p>\n
The commission\u2019s findings are expected to be released by mid-December.<\/p>\n
Victor Seanie is the first staff member to be dismissed because of the fallout around the alleged overvaluation of Ayo Technology Solutions Ltd ahead of an investment.<\/p>\n
He told the commission earlier this year that money manager had a culture of intimidation and coercion and that its investment in Ayo was an example of how sound investment advice was often ignored.<\/p>\n
The PIC took all of Ayo\u2019s R4.3 billion private placement of shares in December 2017, valuing the company at R14.8 billion even though its assets were estimated as being worth R292 million. Its current market value is less than R2 billion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looks like the PIC is trying to recover what it can from investments that appear to not have followed proper process,\u201d said Asief Mohamed, chief investment officer at Cape Town-based Aeon Investment Management.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis decision to fire Victor Seanie does leave me wondering why it didn\u2019t wait for the commission\u2019s final findings before making this move.\u201d<\/p>\n
The PIC said its board and the commission are aware that it\u2019s proceeding with a number of disciplinary cases.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeanie was found guilty of the disciplinary charges proffered against him, which included charges of breaching the PIC\u2019s internal policies in investment decisions,\u201d the PIC said in a response to questions.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeanie is one of several senior investment professionals who went through, or are undergoing, internal disciplinary proceedings.\u201d<\/p>\n
The firing has damaged morale within the PIC as staff feel that he is being punished for speaking out about what he saw as governance transgressions, an employee familiar with the situation said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI plan to challenge my dismissal,\u201d Seanie said Friday by phone. \u201cI\u2019ve had calls from several colleagues who are very unhappy about this decision to fire me as it highlights the ongoing victimization of staff\u201d and the ignoring of investment recommendations, he said.<\/p>\n
He has has the support of his labor union, which said he is being scapegoated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Ayo transactions, which he is charged with, are unjust as the masterminds who played the vital role in orchestrating\u201d the deal are still employed by the fund manager, the National Union of Public Service & Allied Workers said in a statement on Friday.
\nPoor Timing<\/p>\n
The PIC can ill afford further upheaval. Of its 15-member executive committee, eight were listed as being in an acting capacity, two were suspended and two others have left, according to its most recent annual report.<\/p>\n
The PIC\u2019s senior ranks have been characterized by infighting. Last year an organisational chart seen by Bloomberg was passed between some executives showing who was to be ousted and who they would be replaced with.<\/p>\n
Still, the company is trying to take steps to stabilize leadership and fill all vacant positions at senior level, interim Chairman Reuel Khoza said earlier this month.<\/p>\n
He also said the PIC will separate the roles of chief executive officer and chief investment officer after criticism that too much power was concentrated in the role of CEO.<\/p>\n