Bathabile Dlamini ran Sassa ‘like it was her own shop’, Thokozani Magwaza says
Magwaza, who says he is an experienced CEO, told an inquiry that he believed the Sassa work streams should have been reporting to him
Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini tried to run the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), which negatively affected the agency’s work, former CEO Thokozani Magwaza said on Friday.Magwaza was testifying at an inquiry into why Dlamini should be held personally liable for the social grants fiasco in which Sassa was unable to take over the administering of grants.The former CEO, who resigned in 2017, said Dlamini had interpreted the Sassa Act in a way that made her believe she was responsible for the running of the agency. This was despite the CEO being the accounting officer."The only problem I had is when the minister got involved with issues in the organisation … and ran it like her own shop and it started disturbing the smooth running [of Sassa]," he said.Magwaza was appointed Sassa CEO in mid 2016 but only took up the role in November that year. Before that he was an acting director-general in the Department of Social Development.During his testimony he recounted...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.