Africa-Press – South-Africa. An official from the National Treasury will take on the role of acting CEO at South Africa’s Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA).
This comes after the current CEO, Kedibone Madiehe, was placed on precautionary suspension with full pay following allegations of serious misconduct.
The GPAA administers funds and schemes on behalf of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF), the largest pension fund in Africa.
It manages the pension affairs of around 1.7 million government employees and pensioners, as well as the affairs of their spouses and dependents.
On Friday, 22 August, the agency’s CEO was placed on precautionary suspension after a News24 exposé revealed alleged procurement breaches that have cost the agency more than R1.2 billion.
According to the publication, Madiehe has been accused of overseeing and abetting gross irregularities that exposed the GPAA to billions of losses in dubious procurement.
News24’s investigations found that the GPAA had allegedly entered into a fictitious lease agreement and refurbishments that will cost it over R1.2 billion.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said Madiehe was suspended to allow investigations into these allegations to be carried out without prejudicing any current GPAA employees.
In addition, to ensure continuity of operations and effective leadership during this period, Job Stadi Mngomezulu was appointed as the GPAA’s acting CEO effective 25 August 2025.
Mngomezulu currently serves as the Deputy Director-General of Corporate Services at the National Treasury.
He joined the National Treasury over two decades ago as a director of financial management before being promoted to CFO.
He later served as a Chief Risk Officer before taking up the role of Deputy Director-General: Corporate Services.
“Under Mr Mngomezulu’s leadership, GPAA will continue to deliver on its mandate while we work to resolve these matters expeditiously,” Godongwana said in a statement released on Monday, 25 August.
The investigation
Godongwana assured South African pensioners and the public of the following –
All pension services will continue without interruption
The investigation will be conducted promptly and thoroughly
There will be minimal disruption to GPAA’s critical operations
And that the highest standards of governance will be maintained
“To achieve this, the National Treasury, through the Office of the Accountant General (OAG) unit, has commenced a detailed forensic investigation into all allegations against implicated individuals as well as contracts that have been awarded,” he said.
He added that the investigation’s preliminary focus will be on the following procurement contracts: the GPAA Head Office Lease, the African Mobility Bus Lease, the Jicho Consulting Contracts, and the LCS Biometric System Lease.
The minister said he is confident the investigation and related disciplinary measures can be completed within the next 60 days.
“We deeply appreciate the importance of maintaining the trust and confidence of pension holders and broader society in GPAA’s operations,” he said.
“The National Treasury remains committed to transparent governance and will provide updates as appropriate while respecting the integrity of the ongoing processes.”
The GPAA is a critical agency for government employees, as it administers their pensions on behalf of the GEPF.
The GEPF is Africa’s largest pension fund, which was established in May 1996 when various public sector funds were consolidated.
It has 1.28 million active members and over 548,765 pensioners and beneficiaries. The fund manages assets worth more than R2.34 trillion.
The GPAA manages and administers these pensions and other benefits for government employees in South Africa.
The GPAA’s services to GEPF include:
Administering and facilitating the payment of all funds and benefits
Actively engaging with all members, pensions and beneficiaries
Conducting member education and communication campaigns
The GPAA is governed by the Government Employees Pension Law, and it reports to the Minister of Finance.
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
