Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin has introduced sweeping changes to the board of Denel, appointing four new directors in a bid to strengthen governance at the arms manufacturer.

Erwin had previously said that the boards of parastatals needed to be bolstered in the areas of corporate governance and risk management.

New nonexecutive members are Swedish national Bengt Halse; Capital Alliance CEO Nonkululeko NyembeziHeita; Cadiz Holdings CEO Raymond Cadiz; and Chantyl Mulder, an executive of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.

The four appointees replaced Thami Mazwai, Chris Saunders, Alan Mukoki, Lambert Moloi, Khotso Mokhele, Zodwa Manase and Danisa Baloyi, whose terms in office had expired. Ian Deetlefs retired after serving on the board for nine years.

Denel CEO Victor Moche and company chief financial officer Pottie Potgieter will remain the only two executive members of the board, which will continue to be chaired by Sandile Zungu.

With acknowledgements to Khulu Phasiwe and the Business Day.