Pretoria:Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has appointed Leshabe Rampedi as the administrator of the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) following the dissolution of the Board amid governance failures and allegations of mismanagement.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Board was dissolved on 6 November 2026 under Section 28(1) of the CSOS Act due to prolonged leadership instability, lack of cohesion, dysfunctionality, and serious allegations of mismanagement. An independent investigation was commissioned by the Minister, which resulted in a report highlighting numerous governance failures and financial sustainability risks for CSOS.
The investigation recommended dissolving the Board in accordance with the CSOS Act. Minister Simelane, after reviewing the report, communicated the findings to the Board on 24 October 2026, inviting their response. However, the Board's reply on 3 November 2026 failed to adequately address the identified shortcomings, leading to its dissolution.
Rampedi's appointment aims to offer leadership, stabilize the Service, and tackle governance and operational challenges until a new Board is appointed. His responsibilities include finalizing investigations, developing a turnaround plan, and filling critical vacancies to enhance CSOS's capacity to fulfill its mandate.
With over 25 years of experience in the public sector, Rampedi has held significant leadership roles, including as Accounting Officer and Head of Department for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs in Limpopo. His experience extends to various interventions in the human settlements and local government sectors in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. He currently serves on the Board of the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority and chairs its Finance Committee. Rampedi holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and a Master’s Degree in Development Planning.
Minister Simelane expressed gratitude to former Board members for their service and noted that several have welcomed the dissolution, showing readiness to support a smooth transition.
Source South African Government News Agency