Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has committed to appointing a new South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) Board within three weeks following the resignation of five members earlier this month. The departures left the Board without a quorum.
Briefing Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy on September 18, Ramokgopa said the governance breakdown began with a dispute about executive pay. NECSA’s management proposed adjustments to executive remuneration, which the Board initially approved. At a later meeting, concerns were raised that CEO Loyiso Tyabashe and CFO Precious Hawadi misrepresented the availability of funding, prompting a forensic investigation.
After reviewing the findings, the Board moved to suspend both executives. This exceeded the Board’s legal powers as only the minister may suspend a CEO, Ramokgopa told the committee. Tyabashe and Hawadi challenged their suspensions legally but later withdrew the case. Several Board members subsequently resigned.
Ramokgopa said the Public Finance Management Act allows Tyabashe to temporarily act as accounting authority until a new Board is in place. He confirmed that interim measures are in place and that the National Nuclear Regulator was notified to ensure there is no disruption in nuclear safety oversight.
The process of appointing new directors has already begun in preparation for the end of the current Board’s term in early 2026 but this will be accelerated, Ramokgopa said.
“Shortlisted candidates will be submitted to Cabinet and we expect appointments to be finalised within three weeks,” he said, adding that the new Board will include scientists and other technical experts to guide NECSA’s future operations.
