Sentech appoints CFO

Signal distributor, Sentech, has appointed Protas Phili as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Phili will join the State Owned Enterprise for a five year period, beginning in August after his appointment was approved by Communications minister, Roy Padayachie.

The post has been vacant since the departure of former CFO, Mohammed Cassim over several financial irregularities. In October 2010, the board of the signal distributor revealed that it had brought disciplinary action against the former CFO after fraudulent cases and irregular expenditure amounting to R120 million were uncovered.

Phili’s appointment comes as the company works on implementing its new corporate plan. In April, following interventions by the Department of Communications (DOC) and a full review of its business – the signal distributor introduced plans to help it fulfill its mandate.

Over the years, Sentech has come under fire for having an unclear mandate; failing to fulfill its objectives; poor financial management; and for battling to source funding for its major projects.

Through its new corporate plan, Sentech has committed to the delivery of its public service mandate which is to implement and ensure sustainable operations of infrastructure-based interventions; target content-based services and impact on communications industry and society at large.

Phili was previously CFO and Deputy Director General at the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform. According to Sentech, he has vast public and private sector experience in financial management, risk management, auditing, corporate finance, accounting and corporate governance.

He has also worked for Deloitte and Touche, the Department of Public Enterprise and the office of the Auditor General.