The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration has called for a joint meeting with the Standing Committee on Finance to probe serious allegations of misconduct and financial irregularities at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA).

This comes after media reports revealed that a senior financial manager was suspended for refusing to authorise over R21 million in payments that he considered questionable.

The official, now facing disciplinary action, had earlier written to the Minister of Finance, requesting an investigation into contracts dating back to June.

The committee has also flagged alarming reports of a so-called “ghost contract”, a 10-year lease agreement worth nearly R1 billion for a non-existent building intended to serve as the GPAA’s headquarters.

The contract was allegedly concluded without following proper procurement procedures.

Committee Chairperson Jan de Villiers said these developments point to a troubling pattern of potential misconduct at the agency.

“The public’s trust in government is undermined when individuals tasked with safeguarding pensioners’ funds face reprisals for speaking out,” he said.

He stressed that whistleblower protection is non-negotiable. “If individuals who act in good faith to protect the public purse are silenced or punished, we risk eroding the foundations of ethical, transparent, and accountable governance.”

De Villiers reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to ensuring full accountability.

“We will continue to demand full disclosure from the GPAA, monitor all related investigations and ensure that there are consequences where wrongdoing is identified.”

The GPAA manages pension funds for more than 1.7 million government employees and pensioners. 

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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