By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Themba Matlou has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) effective from 01 June 2025.
Matlou takes over from Busisiwe Memela-Khambula, who has filed an urgent court application to review and set aside her precuationary suspension as reported by Fullview, last week (https://fullview.co.za/exclusive-sassa-ceo-memela-khambula-files-an-urgent-court-application-to-challenge-her-suspension/)
The Social Development minister Sisi Tolashe said the precautionary suspension was prompted “by the need to conduct the investigation without hindrance or interference given Memela-Khambula’s position as CEO of Sassa.”
Memela-Khambula was placed on precautionary suspension with full pay on the 3rd of December 2024.
Matlou, the Regional Executive Manager for Gauteng and was appointed as the Acting CEO until the matter involving Memela-Khambula has been concluded.
However the department of Social Development clarified that the position was advertised in preparation for the end of Mamela’s term, while refusing to comment on the investigation’s outcome.
Memela-Khambula’s contract expires in August.
The SASSA Act of 2004 provides for the establishment of the agency under the Department of Social Development (DSD).
Sassa receives an annual R266 billion from the fiscus for the payment of around 28 million social grants.
According to the department, at 49, the Limpopo-born executive brings over 25 years of distinguished public service experience to his new role, with particular expertise in grants administration, strategic leadership, financial oversight and fraud risk management.
Matlou is well-acquainted with Sassa’s operations, having held various leadership positions in the agency for more than a decade before being appointed as acting CEO in December 2024.
Prior to his appointment as an executive, he served as regional executive manager in multiple provinces including Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal.
The department said Matlou oversaw large-scale grant operations, including a R10 billion contract that served 11 million beneficiaries nationwide.
Matlou’s academic foundation includes a master of management in governance from the University of the Witwatersrand and a bachelor of technology in public management from the University of South Africa.