Vodacom is about to lose one of its most senior executives, its SA MD Shameel Joosub, to parent Vodafone.

TechCentral has learnt that Joosub is poised to take up a senior-level position at Vodafone. It’s not immediately clear what his new role will be, though a source says it may involve a posting in Europe.

Vodafone, headquartered in the UK, holds 65% of Vodacom’s equity.

Joosub, who is currently on holiday, could not be reached for comment on his mobile phone. Vodacom spokesman Richard Boorman says he is also unable to comment.

Joosub, who is highly respected in the cellular industry, has worked at Vodacom virtually since it was founded. With a bachelor of accounting science degree and an MBA, Joosub joined Vodacom in March 1994 after completing his articles.

He has held a number of senior roles in Vodacom, including MD of the Vodacom Service Provider Company from 2000 to 2005. In 2005, he was named MD of Vodacom SA, a position he has held since. He’s been a director of Vodacom for the past 10 years.

Joosub would be the second senior executive Vodacom has lost to Vodafone group companies this year. The JSE-listed group’s chief officer of corporate affairs, Bob Collymore, recently left to take the reins at Safaricom, the largest mobile operator in Kenya, in which Vodafone has a 40% stake. — Duncan McLeod, TechCentral