Public Protector clears Mashatile and Creecy over SAA CEO appointment

The Public Protector has cleared Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy of any wrongdoing regarding the appointment of outgoing SAA CEO, Professor John Lamola.

An investigation found no evidence that the two improperly interfered in the recruitment process or breached the Executive Ethics Code.

The probe followed a formal complaint lodged by the Democratic Alliance’s Willie Aucamp last year.

The Public Protector’s report concluded that the recruitment process was strictly followed and that Minister Creecy acted within her legal powers when making the final recommendation.

The investigation confirmed there was no ethics breach or evidence of interference by Mashatile or Creecy. Furthermore, the report stated that Professor Lamola met all requirements for the role and his appointment was formally approved by cabinet without any misuse of information.

In February 2025, Aucamp raised concerns that Creecy planned to recommend Lamola despite claims that the SAA board favoured Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka and candidate Philip Saunders. Aucamp alleged that Lamola ranked lowest in independent assessments and claimed that Mashatile and Creecy held private interviews to pressure the board.

At the time, Creecy maintained that Lamola was fully appointable. She further clarified that her concerns regarding other candidates involved the selection of a non-South African for the national carrier. Both she and Mashatile confirmed they interviewed the top two candidates in their official government capacities to facilitate a recommendation to cabinet.

Professor Lamola, who has led SAA since May 2022 and was appointed permanently in February 2024, is set to step down at the end of this month. His resignation has been accepted by the SAA board and Minister Creecy in her role as the government shareholder representative.