Simelane appoints administrator to stabilise Community Schemes Ombud Service

Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane has appointed Leshabe Rampedi as administrator of the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS) after dissolving the Board amid governance failures and allegations of mismanagement.  

The Board was dissolved on 6 November 2026 in terms of Section 28(1) of the CSOS Act, following a prolonged period of leadership instability, lack of cohesion and dysfunctionality, and serious allegations of mismanagement.

The Minister responded to these allegations by commissioning an independent investigation, which culminated in a report that pointed to numerous governance failures and risks to the financial sustainability of CSOS. 

The investigation recommended that the Minister consider dissolving the Board in accordance with section 28, read with section 10, of the CSOS Act.

“After considering the report, the Minister wrote to the Board on 24 October 2026, advising it on the findings of the investigation and inviting the Board’s representations on why the Minister should not dissolve the Board in line with the recommendations of the Independent Investigator,” the department said in a statement.

However, the Board's response, received on 3 November 2026, did not adequately address the shortcomings identified in the investigation, prompting the Minister to proceed with its dissolution.

The appointment of the Administrator will provide leadership, stabilise the Service and address its governance and operational challenges pending the appointment of the new Board, the department said.

Rampedi’s responsibilities include finalising outstanding investigations, developing a turnaround plan and accelerating the filling of critical vacancies to strengthen the CSOS's capacity to fulfil its mandate.

Rampedi brings more than 25 years of senior executive experience in the public sector and has held several leadership positions in government.

Among other roles, he served as Accounting Officer and Head of Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) in Limpopo. He has also participated in various interventions in the human settlements and local government sectors in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng, including at the Nelson Mandela and Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipalities.

He currently serves as a Board Member of the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA), where he chairs the Finance Committee.

Before joining the public sector, Rampedi worked for several private sector organisations, including Consol and Standard Bank.

His qualifications include a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of the Western Cape and a Master’s Degree in Development Planning from the University of Limpopo.

Simelane expressed appreciation to former Board members for their service and contribution to the CSOS and the broader human settlements sector.

The Minister noted that several former Board members have welcomed the decision to dissolve the Board, stressing their availability and commitment to ensure a smooth transition and handover. – SAnews.gov.za
 

Source: Original report at SAnews.gov.za.