South African Airways (SAA) has named a new acting group chief executive after placing its previous acting chief, Matshela Seshibe, on immediate special leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
The airline has not disclosed the reason for the decision, which comes just four months after Seshibe’s appointment. In a statement, SAA said the move reflects an “unwavering commitment to the highest standards of good governance, accountability, integrity and leadership.”
To ensure continuity, SAA has appointed chief legal officer Koekie Mbeki as acting group chief with immediate effect. The airline said Mbeki brings “extensive institutional knowledge” gained through 10 years of service with the company.
Seshibe had taken the top job only four months ago, following the resignation of John Lamola, who had overseen SAA’s recovery as it emerged from a business-rescue process and the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic. Before joining the airline, Seshibe led SAA’s catering arm, Air Chefs, and had previously held positions at major firms including Unilever, SABMiller and Coca-Cola.
SAA chair Sedzani Mudau framed the change as a governance-driven step. “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,” Mudau said.
The leadership change lands at a delicate moment for the carrier. SAA has spent years rebuilding after emerging from business rescue, and stability in the executive suite is widely seen as important to sustaining that turnaround. A fresh investigation and an abrupt change at the top — even a temporary one — inevitably draw scrutiny from creditors, partners and the flying public.
For now, SAA is emphasising continuity and governance over disruption. By elevating an experienced insider in Mbeki rather than looking outside the company, the board is signalling that day-to-day operations should continue without interruption while the investigation runs its course. The airline has not indicated how long the process will take or when a permanent appointment might be made.
As one of Africa’s best-known flag carriers, SAA’s governance and leadership decisions carry weight well beyond its own network. The coming weeks will show whether this is an isolated episode or the start of a broader reshaping of the airline’s senior management.
Sources: FlightGlobal. Featured image: AI-generated by AviationShop. By James Holloway.
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