GPAA Scandal Continues As CEO’s Disciplinary Hearing Begins

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National Treasury issued a Media Statement as the drama at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) just took a formal turn. Suspended CEO Kedibone Madiehe is now facing a disciplinary hearing following a months-long forensic investigation into alleged financial misconduct and governance failures.

The Background of the Case

You may recall the original bombshell: in August 2025, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana suspended Madiehe amid outrage over a series of dodgy procurement deals, including a now-infamous R1 billion lease with a company that didn’t even own the building. The GPAA’s finance manager was also suspended after blocking a questionable R21 million payment, raising serious red flags about internal controls.

According to a new media statement from Treasury, three independent firms completed forensic probes, and Madiehe has now been formally served with the findings and charges. However, the government has declined to publish the full reports for now, citing labour law protections and the need to ensure procedural fairness.

This marks a critical escalation in the case, especially with political pressure mounting. The DA previously called for Madiehe’s outright dismissal, slamming the Treasury’s “full-pay suspension” as a soft landing for alleged misconduct.

CIBA’s Take

The Chartered Institute for Business Accountants (CIBA) has been outspoken on the matter, framing it as part of a systemic governance crisis. The institute has renewed its call for a NOCLAR Protection Fund, arguing that ethical accountants are being punished for doing the right thing. When finance professionals blow the whistle or block suspicious payments, they should be protected, not suspended.

For CIBA, the scandal demonstrates why South Africa needs leaner, more accountable governance, not just procedural compliance. It is not just about one CEO. It’s about creating systems where ethical conduct is protected and rewarded, aligning with its vision of accountants as nation-builders—not scapegoats.

Read our earlier piece: GPAA Shake-Up: CEO Suspended, Political Pressure Mounts, and Next Steps Outlined