KPMG to layoff 400 employees after scandal

Global auditor KPMG said it will axe up to 400 staff in South Africa in its latest shake-up following a corruption scandal in the country, which saw it lose several major clients.

The auditor has taken a number of steps since last September to help restore the reputation of its South African business, including changes to corporate governance and management and measures to improve risk management.

On Monday, the firm said it plans to have just four business hubs in South Africa – in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth – and will appoint some executives from KPMG International to its South Africa’s board.

It will close small regional offices in Mbombela, Bloemfontein, Polokwane and East London, resulting in the lay offs, KPMG South Africa’s CEO Nhlamulo Dlomu said during a conference call.

The Guptas and Zuma have denied any wrongdoing.

Dlomu said the offices that will close were quite dependent on audit work carried out for the Auditor General, who said in April that he would terminate all government contracts with KPMG following the scandals.