LEGAL ISSUES
Ayanda Mdluli|Released
Just recently, SASSA put Mzobe on preventive suspension on complete pay, pending examination. The letters in our ownership are dated 1 October and 28 October 2026.
The claims pointed out associate with the consultation of Regenesys Business School as a carrying out partner for the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Labour Activation Programme, a R142 million service level contract supposedly signed without entrusted authority, and a R23.2 million payment in November 2019.
A 2nd file, a legal representative’s letter dated 30 October 2026 from Saney Mbatha & & Associates, acting for Mzobe, to the NDA’s acting CEO, Ms S Khumalo, challenges the basis of the action.
According to the letter, the claims come from a forensic report commissioned by the NDA and described SASSA by means of the Ministry of Social Development. Mzobe, who functioned as NDA CEO up until 31 October 2021, rejects any misbehavior. She competes that she was never ever paid for an official interview or a right of reply by the NDA or its private investigators, was never ever offered the report, and was not informed of the NDA’s choice to refer the matter to her present company.
Her lawyers have actually now required, by 12 November 2026, 14 classifications of records. They consist of the forensic reports (amongst them one by Abacus Financial Crime Advisory); board resolutions authorising the examination and the recommendation to SASSA, the general public Service Commission and the SAPS; all correspondence in between the NDA and the ministry and in between the NDA and SASSA; the 2019 and 2020 delegations of authority; executive committee minutes for August and September 2019; a letter from Mr B Magongo to the CEO in August 2019; correspondence with National Treasury in September 2020; and the Auditor-General’s management reports for 2018/19 to 2020/21.
The letter likewise mentions a July 2020 memorandum referring the 2019/20 irregular expense to the NDA’s legal and personnels systems, raising concerns about whether the matter was handled internally before the later forensic probe.
SASSA’s notification counts on the Constitutional Court judgment in Long v South African Breweries (2019) to validate suspension without previous representations.
Mzobe’s suspension comes at an important time for SASSA in KwaZulu-Natal, which manages grants for countless recipients.
The NDA and the Department of Social Development (DSD) have actually been called for remark. Mzobe has actually likewise been provided a right of reply, who referred all concerns to her lawyers.
SASSA reacts
In an action dated 3 November 2026, SASSA stated the choice to location Mzobe on preventive suspension was taken by its accounting authority, CEO Themba Matlou. The action was taken in line with area 16B( 4) and (5) of the general public Service Act, 1994, as changed, checked out with Chapter 7 of the Senior Management Service (SMS) Handbook.
SASSA stated the NDA and the DSD might not start disciplinary procedures versus Mzobe due to the fact that she is no longer their worker, and they for that reason asked SASSA, as her existing company, to carry out the procedure. It stated it is required under area 16B( 5) to perform a disciplinary procedure.
SASSA stated its CEO, as accounting authority and line supervisor, has the authority to suspend executive supervisors. It included that the DSD has an oversight function over the administrative procedures of both the NDA and SASSA.
SASSA validated that the matter associates with Mzobe’s period at the NDA in 2019, not to her efficiency as SASSA’s KwaZulu-Natal local executive supervisor. It likewise verified that it has actually gotten the forensic report from the NDA through the DSD.
Asked whether the report has actually been provided to Mzobe, SASSA stated it will deal with her attorneys, through the workplace of the State Attorney, to guarantee that the pertinent files are forwarded to her. It stated it has actually designated a private investigator which the examination would begin on 5 November 2026.
“During that procedure, Ms Mzobe will be provided with the report and managed adequate time to react to the accusations,” the organisation stated in reaction to concerns.
It included: “Placing a worker on preventive suspension does not suggest that worker is guilty. Ms Mzobe has the right in regards to Section 35( 3 )(b) of the Constitution to be presumed innocent till tested otherwise.”
SASSA likewise verified to IOL that Simlindile Jabavu, the existing basic supervisor for financing, has actually been designated acting local executive supervisor for KwaZulu-Natal with impact from 28 October 2026.
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