SASSA CEO
By Mpho Moloi
The CEO of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Busisiwe Memela-Khambula, has been placed on precautionary suspension. Social Development Minister Nokuzola Tolashe stated that this move was necessary to conduct an investigation into Memela-Khambula’s appointment without undue influence.
This suspension comes in the wake of concerns raised by the Office of the Public Protector approximately three years ago. SASSA spokesperson Paseka Letsatsi noted that previous ministers had not addressed these inquiries, leading Minister Tolashe to initiate a thorough investigation into the appointment process. Letsatsi emphasized that certain procedural aspects were potentially overlooked, necessitating this action.
Minister Tolashe underscored that the suspension aims to uphold the integrity of the investigation and protect Memela-Khambula’s dignity. She commended the CEO’s humility upon receiving the suspension notice. The minister affirmed that these steps are in the best interest of the millions of beneficiaries reliant on SASSA for social assistance.
In the interim, Themba Matlou, the Regional Executive Manager for Gauteng, has been appointed as acting CEO pending the investigation’s outcome.
This development follows recent criticisms of SASSA’s leadership. In November 2024, Western Cape Members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs) called for Memela-Khambula’s resignation, citing failures in service delivery to social grant recipients. DA’s Wendy Kaizer-Philander described the situation as a crisis, highlighting that about 45% of South Africans depend on social grants. She criticized the leadership for being “shielded by bureaucracy” while beneficiaries suffered.
Similarly, PA’s Donita Stephens pointed to high levels of corruption and incompetence within SASSA, calling for the CEO’s immediate resignation. She noted that malfunctioning IT systems and delays were causing widespread suffering, with beneficiaries often facing long queues or months without payments.
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