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Cape Town - Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Wednesday sacked arms procurement parastal Armscor's board chair and deputy chair.
Chairperson Lt-Gen Moreti Motau and deputy chairperson Refiloe Mokoena were told to vacate office in terms of section 8c of the Armaments Corporation of SA Limited Act, her spokesperson Sonwabo Mbananga said in a statement.
This section allowed the minister to terminate services if "good cause" was shown.
Mbananga said the axing was related to "matters of governance".
"In order to carry out their function, the chair and deputy chair have to efficiently support government and particularly the department of defence," he said.
"They were not creating such an enabling environment."
Mbananga said Mapisa-Nqakula had made a decision in the interests of Armscor's ability to effectively deliver on its objective and mandate set out in the act.
"The minister will proceed with the cabinet process to fill in three vacancies that currently exist in the board, inclusive of the vacancies that occurred as a result of this decision," he said.
"Only once the full complement of the board is in place, will she designate a new chairperson and deputy chairperson from among the members of the board for the remainder of the current term of office of the board."
This process was expected to be finalised by the end of September.
The department said there would be no disruption to the workings of the board in this time.
"The minister has reaffirmed her support and the continued confidence she has in the remaining members of the board to take forward the work of the board during this transitional period."
