Sassa CEO placed on precautionary suspension – with full pay

Social Development minister Nokuzola Tolashe has placed the CEO of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), Busisiwe Memela-Khambula, on precautionary suspension with full pay.

Tolashe said this was pending the outcome of the investigation into her appointment as CEO of the agency.

Sassa receives an annual R266 billion from the fiscus for the payment of around 28 million social grants.

The Social Development minister said the precautionary suspension was prompted “by the need to conduct the investigation without hindrance or interference given Memela-Khambula’s position as CEO of Sassa.”

In addition, Tolashe said that the Office of the Public Protector has raised a “myriad of serious issues” that have prompted her to take appropriate action as Sassa’s executive authority.

Tolashe said that “all the decisions that have been taken are to steer Sassa in the right direction and are taken in the best interest of the millions of beneficiaries that depend on social assistance.”

“Whilst we deal with a lot of challenges facing Sassa, we want to take decisive decisions that will ensure that our work is transparent, effective and efficient, and we have an organisation that will assist in fighting hunger and poverty in our country”, she added.

SASSA investigations

Last year, City Press reported that the Public Protector launched an investigation into then Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu due to accusations of misconduct, specifically regarding irregular appointments and disregard for proper protocol.

The investigation stems from complaints lodged by DA shadow social development minister Bridget Masango after media reports revealed potential nepotism in Zulu’s appointment of acting director-general Linton Mchunu.

Key allegations against Zulu include:

• Disregarding qualified candidates and lowering requirements to favour Mchunu despite existing complaints against him.
• Signing a five-year memorandum of understanding with the US African Development Foundation without proper protocol and clearance from relevant departments.
• Ignoring potential conflicts of interest in appointment processes.
• Appointing people to crucial positions at Sassa despite more qualified and experienced internal candidates.
• Potentially tailoring job requirements to suit individuals allegedly involved in irregularities with a service provider.
• Interfering with Sassa operations and potentially favouring her home region.
• Failing to act on SIU recommendations for disciplinary action against Sassa CEO Busisiwe Memela-Khambula for irregular food parcel procurement.

The Public Protector found these allegations serious enough to warrant an investigation, citing potential unfairness, ethical breaches, and violations of the executive ethics code.

Media attention further highlighted the public interest in this case, particularly given that the fund, which uses a big chunk of the national budget and is meant to provide essential relief to struggling households, has been plagued with inefficiencies and fraud.

Going forward

Overall, Tolashe said that the precautionary suspension decision against the CEO was important to “protect her dignity and integrity” during the investigation and “praised the humility the CEO demonstrated when the decision to suspend her was communicated.”

Themba Matlou, the Regional Executive Manager for Gauteng and has since been appointed as the Acting CEO until the matter involving Memela-Khambula has been concluded.

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