SASSA KwaZulu-Natal regional executive manager suspension, Digi Mart USA News (South Africa): A legal showdown is looming between suspended SASSA KwaZulu-Natal regional executive manager Thamo Mzobe and her employer over a multimillion-rand contract dating back to her time as CEO of the National Development Agency (NDA), according to IOL.
SASSA recently placed Mzobe on precautionary suspension on full pay pending investigation. The letters cited are dated 1 October and 28 October 2026, and the allegations relate to the appointment of Regenesys Business School as an implementing partner for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Labour Activation Programme.
The allegations also cover a R142 million service level agreement allegedly signed without delegated authority and a R23.2 million payment made in November 2019. A lawyer’s letter dated 30 October 2026 from Saney Mbatha & Associates, acting for Mzobe, disputes the basis of the action.
According to the letter, the allegations stem from a forensic report commissioned by the NDA and referred to SASSA through the Ministry of Social Development. Mzobe, who served as NDA CEO until 31 October 2021, denies any misconduct and says she was never given a formal interview, a right of reply or the report itself.
Her attorneys have demanded, by 12 November 2026, 14 categories of records. These include forensic reports, board resolutions, correspondence between the NDA, the ministry and SASSA, delegations of authority, executive committee minutes, National Treasury correspondence and Auditor-General management reports for 2018/19 to 2020/21.
The letter also cites a July 2020 memorandum referring 2019/20 irregular expenditure to the NDA’s legal and human resources units, raising questions about whether the matter was dealt with internally before the later forensic probe. SASSA’s notice relies on the Constitutional Court ruling in Long v South African Breweries (2019) to justify suspension without prior representations.
The suspension comes at a critical time for SASSA in KwaZulu-Natal, which handles grants for millions of beneficiaries. The NDA and the Department of Social Development have been contacted for comment, and Mzobe has been offered a right of reply, which she referred to her attorneys.
In a response dated 3 November 2026, SASSA said the decision was taken by its accounting authority, CEO Themba Matlou, under section 16B(4) and (5) of the Public Service Act, 1994, as amended, read with Chapter 7 of the Senior Management Service Handbook. SASSA said the NDA and the DSD could not initiate disciplinary proceedings because Mzobe is no longer their employee, so SASSA, as her current employer, is obliged to carry out the process.
SASSA confirmed the matter relates to Mzobe’s 2019 tenure at the NDA, not to her performance as regional executive manager. It said it has received the forensic report via the DSD and will work with her lawyers, through the State Attorney, to forward the relevant documents to her.
An investigator has been appointed, and the investigation is set to start on 5 November 2026.
“During that process, Ms Mzobe will be furnished with the report and afforded sufficient time to respond to the allegations,” the organisation said. It added: “Placing an employee on precautionary suspension does not mean that employee is guilty.
Ms Mzobe has the right in terms of Section 35(3)(b) of the Constitution to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise.”
SASSA also confirmed that Simlindile Jabavu, the current general manager for finance, has been appointed acting regional executive manager for KwaZulu-Natal with effect from 28 October 2026.
