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South African Airways has placed acting group CEO Matshela Seshibe on special leave with immediate effect, deepening a leadership crisis at the state-owned carrier that has had three CEOs in less than four months.SAA’s board said on Friday that Seshibe’s leave would remain in place pending the outcome of an internal process. The airline did not disclose the nature of the process or say whether it relates to any allegations against the acting CEO. The board said the decision reflected its commitment to governance, accountability, integrity and leadership.The board’s decision to place a second consecutive acting CEO on special leave within months adds another layer of uncertainty as SAA seeks to execute its longer-term turnaround strategy.“We recognise the responsibility entrusted to us and will continue to act decisively and in the best interests of the airline and all of its stakeholders,” SAA board chairperson Sedzani Mudau said in the statement.Koekie Mbeki, SAA’s chief legal officer, was appointed acting group CEO with immediate effect. Mbeki has worked at SAA for 10 years and the board said her institutional knowledge would provide leadership and stability as the airline executes its strategy.Seshibe was appointed acting CEO in April after Prof John Lamola resigned. His appointment came during a broader management shake-up at SAA that also included the early retirement of the airline’s CFO and the resignation of three independent board members.The upheaval followed SAA’s 2024/25 financial results, which drew scrutiny after the auditor-general issued a disclaimer audit, despite the airline reporting an operating profit of R336m and a net profit of R155m.Seshibe had been CEO of Air Chefs, SAA’s catering subsidiary, before taking over as acting group CEO. The appointment revived scrutiny of Seshibe’s previous role at Daybreak Farms, a poultry producer funded by the Public Investment Corporation. He was suspended by the company in late 2022 over allegations that he authorised irregular payments. SAA subsequently said the allegations had been examined and found to be without merit and defended Seshibe’s appointment against what it described as the recycling of unsubstantiated claims.Business Day
