Parliament, Wednesday, 3 June 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Social Development today received a briefing from the Department of Social Development and Mketsu and Associates Incorporated on the findings of a forensic investigation into the appointment of the department’s former Director-General, Mr Peter Netshipale.
The forensic investigation was commissioned following concerns regarding the appointment of Mr Netshipale on a five-year contract, despite Cabinet having approved a one-year term due to retirement-age considerations.
According to the findings presented to the committee, Cabinet approved a one-year appointment for Mr Netshipale on 26 March 2025. However, a five-year employment contract was subsequently concluded on 14 April 2025. The investigation found evidence suggesting that the appointment was processed through a deliberate administrative process and rejected the explanation that the matter arose as a simple clerical error.
The report further found that the former Director-General was aware of Cabinet's approval of a one-year term but nevertheless signed the five-year contract. The investigators recommended that disciplinary proceedings be instituted against Mr Netshipale for alleged misconduct and dishonesty.
The committee notes the seriousness of these findings and welcomes the efforts made to establish the facts surrounding the appointment.
However, the committee raised several concerns regarding aspects of the investigation that require further clarification. Key questions remain unanswered regarding accountability for the signatures that appeared on critical appointment documents.
The committee expressed concern that the investigation was unable to conclusively establish who authorised certain signatures and whether the relevant executive authorities had direct knowledge of the appointment process.
The committee also noted that investigators were unable to access certain documents, including Cabinet records and memoranda, due to confidentiality restrictions. In addition, witness interviews were not conducted under oath and were not formally recorded. There was also no co-operation from the former Minister and the former Chief of Staff, who is implicated in the signing of the former DG. The former Minister did not reply to two sets of questions that were forwarded to her. The committee expressed concern that these limitations may have affected the scope, completeness and credibility of the investigation and its findings.
The committee further observed that while the report identified correspondence and actions originating from officials within the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), no forensic investigation was conducted within that department.
Members questioned whether all relevant role players had been adequately investigated, particularly given the report's findings that communications from DPSA officials were used to justify the five-year appointment.
Questions were also raised regarding whether the applicable provisions of the Public Service Act permit a head of department to serve beyond the age of 65, notwithstanding a Cabinet resolution limiting the term of appointment. Committee members suggested that an independent legal opinion may be required to provide clarity on this matter.
The committee additionally requested information on the total costs incurred by the department in relation to the forensic investigation, as well as legal expenses associated with ongoing litigation involving former departmental officials, including matters relating to Ms Zanele Simmons and Ms Lumka Oliphant.
Committee members further requested a comprehensive account of the events that gave rise to the litigation involving the former officials and the sequence of decisions taken by the department in those matters.
The committee emphasised that accountability and good governance are essential for maintaining public confidence in state institutions. At the same time, the committee stressed that the Department of Social Development must remain focused on its core mandate of addressing poverty, vulnerability and social inequality.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, MS BRIDGET MASANGO.
For media enquiries, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Ms Faith Ndenze
Parliamentary Communication Services
Cell: 081 377 0686
Email: fndenze@parliament.gov.za
Arrange a tour