CAPE TOWN – Oakbay Resources and Energy, which is owned by the controversial Gupta family, announced on Wednesday that its CEO Jacques Roux had resigned with effect from the end of this month.
Roux took over from Varun Gupta in May last year.
The family has suffered a series of losses, including senior staff and banking facilities, amid intensifying allegations of political meddling.
Oakbay Resources said in a statement on Wednesday that it was was pleased to announce the appointment of George van der Merwe as acting CEO with effect from April 1. It added that Van der Merwe, who previously held the position until August 2015, was returning to the company to take up the position.
In line with “the company’s succession plan”, the statement added, both Roux and Van der Merwe would “utilise the March notice period to ensure a seamless transition and handover of responsibilities”.
Oakbay further said that Melanie Chong, the company’s interim financial director, had now been appointed to the position permanently.