SAA acting CEO Matshela Seshibe placed on immediate special leave as leadership turmoil deepens
South African Airways has placed Acting Group Chief Executive Officer Matshela Seshibe on immediate special leave, marking another major leadership shake-up at the state-owned airline.
The SAA Board confirmed on Friday, 14 August 2026, that Seshibe would remain on special leave pending the outcome of an internal process.
The airline has not disclosed what that process concerns or whether Seshibe faces specific allegations.
SAA framed the move as a governance decision, saying the Board remained committed to accountability, integrity and safeguarding the interests of the airline, its employees, customers and other stakeholders.
Board chairperson Sedzani Mudau said the Board recognised the responsibility entrusted to it and would continue acting in the airline’s interests.
To maintain operations during Seshibe’s absence, SAA has appointed Chief Legal Officer Koekie Mbeki as Acting Group CEO with immediate effect.
The airline says Mbeki has approximately ten years of institutional experience at SAA and will be responsible for providing continuity while the internal process involving Seshibe continues.
The development comes only months after Seshibe assumed the acting CEO position.
He was appointed in April following the departure of Professor John Lamola, whose exit formed part of a wider period of executive and board changes at SAA.
Business Day reports that the national carrier has now had three CEOs in less than four months.
That turnover creates renewed questions about leadership stability at an airline attempting to rebuild following years of financial and governance problems.
Seshibe previously led Air Chefs, SAA’s catering subsidiary, before taking responsibility for the wider airline group.
His appointment in April also attracted attention because of historical allegations relating to an earlier position at Daybreak Farms. SAA subsequently defended Seshibe, saying those allegations had been examined and were without merit.
There is currently no evidence from SAA’s latest announcement connecting those historical matters to Friday’s decision.
The airline has also not stated that Seshibe has been found guilty of misconduct.
That distinction is important.
Special leave pending an internal process is not in itself a finding of wrongdoing, and the precise circumstances surrounding the Board’s intervention remain unknown.
The leadership change comes as SAA continues pursuing commercial expansion.
Earlier in August, the airline announced an expanded reciprocal codeshare agreement with Emirates covering domestic and regional African destinations. Seshibe was still representing SAA publicly in that announcement.
Attention will now turn to the nature of the Board’s internal process, whether Seshibe returns to his position, and whether the latest leadership disruption affects SAA’s wider turnaround plans.
MDNtv will continue tracking developments and any further explanation from the SAA Board.
