The board of South African Airways (SAA) placed Acting Group Chief Executive Officer Matshela Seshibe on special leave pending an internal investigation. The move came just four months after Seshibe assumed the top executive position following the sudden resignation of former Group CEO Professor John Lamola. In an official statement, SAA confirmed that the board's decision reflected its commitment to upholding high standards of corporate governance, accountability, and leadership integrity while safeguarding the operational stability of the national carrier.

         

While SAA refrained from detailing the specific allegations publicly, the internal process reportedly centers around Seshibe’s previous tenure as CEO of Air Chefs, SAA's catering subsidiary. Seshibe confirmed that he was asked to take special leave regarding matters linked to his role at Air Chefs, noting that precise charges had not yet been formally presented to him. Reports indicate the probe stems from an anonymous whistleblower report regarding procurement practices at the subsidiary. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy stated she is closely monitoring the board's governance process to ensure the airline's day-to-day operations remain uncompromised.

To maintain leadership continuity during the investigation, SAA appointed Chief Legal Officer Koekie Mbeki as the new Acting Group CEO. Mbeki, who had also been acting as CEO at subsidiary SAA Technical, steps into the role during a period of heightened governance scrutiny for the airline, following recent auditor reports and board departures.