Leadership crisis rocks Airports Company South Africa: No action despite scandal

The Star

04-05-2025

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) is grappling with a full-blown leadership crisis as serious allegations of qualifications fraud, nepotism, financial mismanagement, and governance failures continue to mount under the watch of CEO Mpumi Mpofu and head of security Mzwandile Petros.
Despite growing public outrage and documented irregularities, no suspensions or disciplinary actions have been taken, raising urgent questions about political interference and institutional accountability.
At the centre of the storm is CEO Mpumi Mpofu, who allegedly misrepresented her academic qualifications. While ACSA and her public profiles stated she held a postgraduate degree from Coventry University, the institution confirmed she only obtained an undergraduate degree. Shockingly, her contract was recently renewed by ACSA's board, even as questions about the integrity of the recruitment and vetting process persist.
The board has defended Mpofu, citing her security clearance and polygraph results. However, experts note that clearances are not automatically transferable between departments and should be revalidated. The decision to extend her contract in the face of a brewing scandal suggests either negligence or deliberate disregard for governance protocols.
Petros, a former SAPS general, was appointed head of ACSA security despite having no background in aviation security.
To bring him in, the board bent retirement rules and has since tolerated a wave of controversial appointments under his leadership. These include retired and unqualified former police officials placed in senior aviation roles, many of whom lack basic aviation credentials.
A glaring example is the appointment of 68-year-old retired Major General Gela to oversee security at OR Tambo International Airport. Insiders report that Gela has no relevant experience and is considered ineffective by staff. Similarly, several qualified aviation professionals have been removed and replaced by Petros's former police colleagues, raising concerns about nepotism and a collapse of merit-based appointments.
Under Mpofu and Petros's leadership, ACSA has faced a series of financial controversies. Emergency tenders worth millions have been interdicted after irregularities emerged. One example includes a security technology tender awarded to a company in liquidation. Another involves the purchase of equipment for more than double its market price under questionable 'emergency' circumstances.
The decision to insource over 3 500 security guards — estimated to cost R2 billion over five years— has become a financial liability. Airports such as Cape Town International are reportedly operating significantly over budget compared to when private contractors were used. Critics allege this was a calculated move to justify internal control and benefits for loyalists, while starving private contractors through delayed payments.
Despite declaring a R472 million profit in the last fiscal year, ACSA allegedly owes more than R500 million to service providers. Several companies have initiated legal action due to non-payment, even as executives continue to collect performance bonuses.
Insiders claim Mpofu is shielded by political allies within the ruling ANC, including figures from the Women's League and former colleagues from her time in the Presidency. Reports suggest that attempts by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to initiate investigations or suspend executives have been blocked by powerful political actors behind the scenes.
This political interference has undermined attempts to restore accountability and left ACSA paralysed under ineffective leadership. The board's failure to act has allowed a culture of impunity to take root, where falsified qualifications, procurement scandals, and operational failures go unpunished.
The return of Jabulani Khambule, a former executive dismissed for misconduct, underscores the deeper governance rot. Now serving as the Regional General Manager of OR Tambo International Airport, Khambule holds a critical security role without public evidence of exoneration or updated vetting. His qualifications are also reportedly overstated, raising questions about his eligibility for the position.
As ACSA continues to manage critical national infrastructure, the public and aviation industry stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention.
Experts warn that without a full forensic investigation and accountability at the highest levels, the integrity of the country's airports and national security remains at risk.
The Star tried to get a comment from ACSA, Mpofu and Petros, but our attempts could not succeed by the time of publishing.