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SAA CEO John Lamola Resigns

The exits sharpen scrutiny of SAA’s finances after a severe audit disclaimer.

Overview

  • SAA said Group CEO John Lamola will leave at the end of April, and three non‑executive directors have resigned, with Air Chefs head Matshela Seshibe named acting CEO.
  • Aviation voices warned of deeper structural problems, with one insider calling the spate of departures a purge that leaves the airline rudderless.
  • The Auditor‑General issued qualified opinions during Lamola’s tenure and gave the 2025 annual report a severe disclaimer, meaning key figures could not be verified.
  • Analysts dispute SAA’s reported R155 million profit for 2025, saying once‑off gains drove the result rather than sustainable operations.
  • Outa’s Wayne Duvenage urged a probe of Lamola’s tenure and alleged about R5 billion in irregular spending and political influence in his appointment.