National Treasury deputy director-general for corporate services Job Stadi Mngomezulu is Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) acting CEO, effective from Monday.

Last week, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana placed GPAA CEO Kedibone Madiehe on precautionary suspension with full pay, effective immediately, following allegations of serious misconduct concerning high-value procurement transactions.

Mngomezulu joined the Treasury more than two decades ago as a director: 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.

Godongwana expressed confidence in Mngomezulu's ability to lead the organisation during its transitional period.

"Under Mr Mngomezulu's leadership, GPAA will continue to deliver on its mandate while we work to resolve these matters expeditiously,” he stated.

He assured pensioners that all services would continue without interruption, and that the investigation would be conducted “promptly and thoroughly”.

Madiehe’s disciplinary action has been delegated to the Minister of Finance to institute disciplinary processes concerning misconduct allegations.

“This includes precautionary suspension, as well as any subsequent steps.

“It is important to note that precautionary suspension does not in any way constitute a judgment of guilt or innocence. Rather, it will allow investigations into the matter to be carried out without prejudicing any of the current employees at GPAA,” the Finance Ministry highlighted.

Godongwana assured that there would be minimal disruption to GPAA's critical operations and that the highest standards of governance would be maintained.

To achieve this, 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.

The preliminary focus of the investigation will focus on the GPAA head office lease; African mobility bus lease; Jicho consulting contracts, as well as the LCS biometric system lease.

Godongwana expressed confidence that the investigation and related disciplinary measures could be completed within 60 days.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to Mngomezulu asking him to disclose what the GPAA plans are to investigate all implicated, and to reinstate and protect whistleblowers.

The party is also demanding that the GPAA disclose what steps it will take to recover squandered funds and whether criminal charges have been laid.

“If these answers are not sufficient, the DA will not hesitate to approach the Presidency to issue a proclamation asking the SIU to investigate the GPAA and seize funds where appropriate,” said DA spokesperson on Finance Dr Mark Burke.

He said too many implicated government officials lingered for years on suspension while still drawing “cushy salaries”.

He explained that the DA wa pushing for due process to be followed with urgency and for all implicated officials to be fired.