Former Denel group CEO Riaz Saloojee has returned to the state-owned defence technology company after he was forced out during the state capture period.

Saloojee was one of three Denel executives suspended in 2015 by then-newly appointed board chair Daniel Mantsha.   

Mantsha was one of the key role players that enabled the Gupta family members and their associate Salim Essa to capture Denel, according to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

The commission, led by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, found that the Guptas used their influence to ensure that two Denel contracts – worth hundreds of millions of rands – were awarded to the Gupta-linked VR Laser in 2014 and 2015.

Saloojee had testified at the commission about attempts to bribe him. He was finally suspended and fired, apparently owing to concern over aspects of a deal that Denel entered into.

But Zondo said that Salojee was "suspended by the board under very strange circumstances and was ultimately pushed out of Denel" after he raised "troublesome objections".

Zondo also noted that during Saloojee's time as Denel's CEO, the organisation received a clean audit from the Auditor-General.

In a document dated 24 May and seen by Fin24, Denel interim group CEO William Hlakoane informed staff that Saloojee had been seconded from SAA Technical to Denel for a few months as chief restructuring officer as from that date.

"During his tenure [as Denel'S CEO], Denel's turnover experienced double-digit growth and a positive bottom line year-on-year," William Hlakoane said. 

"He left the employ of the organisation in 2015 in the middle of the implementation of Denel's most successful growth initiatives, which he championed since 2012, which saw the SOC grow a firm order book of over R40 billion."

Hlakoane described Salojee's secondment as "critical" and intended to fast-track the implementation of an approved five-year strategic plan for Denel.