18 August 2026

SAA Board Places Acting CEO on Special Leave, Appoints Mbeki as Replacement

Why this article matters
This is the second change at the top of South African Airways within four months. Prof. John Lamola resigned as Group Chief Executive Officer at the end of April 2026, after which the Board appointed Matshela Seshibe, until then Chief Executive Officer of subsidiary Air Chefs, as Acting Group CEO while a permanent recruitment process was expected to follow. Seshibe’s placement on special leave less than four months later extends the period in which SAA has operated without a permanent Group CEO, and puts fresh scrutiny on the pace and stability of its post-business-rescue turnaround.

Chief Legal Officer Koekie Mbeki’s appointment as Acting Group CEO, backed by a decade of institutional experience at the airline, is intended to provide continuity while the internal process involving Seshibe is resolved. For an airline still rebuilding commercial confidence and investor trust after years of financial distress, how quickly and transparently the Board resolves this process, and whether it moves ahead with a permanent CEO appointment, will be a significant signal to partners, codeshare airlines and prospective investors watching SAA’s recovery.

Of Interest
1. The Board of South African Airways placed Acting Group Chief Executive Officer Matshela Seshibe on special leave with immediate effect, pending the outcome of an internal process, effective 14 August 2026.

2. Chief Legal Officer Koekie Mbeki has been appointed Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of SAA with immediate effect.

The Board of South African Airways (SAA) has placed Acting Group Chief Executive Officer Matshela Seshibe on special leave with immediate effect, pending the outcome of an internal process, SAA said in a media statement issued in Johannesburg on 14 August 2026.

The airline did not disclose further detail on the nature or scope of the internal process that prompted the decision.

According to the statement, the move reflects the Board’s commitment to governance, accountability, integrity and leadership, and is intended to protect the interests of SAA, its employees, customers, partners and other stakeholders while the airline continues to operate with stability.

“We recognise the responsibility entrusted to us and will continue to act decisively and in the best interests of the airline and all of its stakeholders,” said SAA Board Chairperson Sedzani Mudau.

To maintain leadership continuity, the Board has appointed Chief Legal Officer Koekie Mbeki as Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, with immediate effect. Mbeki has served SAA for the past ten years, bringing institutional knowledge of the airline to the role.

The Board said Mbeki’s experience gives it confidence in her ability to steady SAA’s leadership while the process involving Seshibe is resolved and the airline continues implementing its turnaround strategy.