John Lamola has left his role at South African Airways having led the airline since 2021.
South African Airways (SAA) is back in crisis after Group CEO John Lamola announced his departure following a board meeting attended by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy on April 10.
The current CEO of SAA catering subsidiary Air Chefs, Matshela Seshibe, has taken over as acting group CEO. The appointment of Seshibe, who has minimal aviation experience, has drawn criticism in the South African press. Reports have noted Seshibe’s ties to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s charitable foundation.
Lamola left his role on the same day SAA’s head of human resources and three non-executive directors departed. The exodus follows the retirement of SAA’s CFO, who stepped down in March.
The CFO’s departure coincided with criticism of SAA’s financial reporting for fiscal 2025. In its financial statements, SAA reported a net profit of R155 million ($9.4 million). However, it was then flagged that the annual report contained multiple profit figures, which raised doubts about the airline’s profitability, given that operating costs exceeded revenue by R300 million.
This followed the 2024 results where the group was forced to restate a claimed profit of R431 million into a loss of R354 million.
In the 2025 annual report, the Auditor-General of South Africa issued a disclaimed audit opinion. An audit disclaimer is a greater indictment than previous qualified reports and indicates a severe lack of financial controls.
The Auditor General also raised concerns regarding R505 million in irregular expenditure and a lack of improvement in the airline’s financial reporting.
The airline is seeking to lease widebodies. Analysts contend that disclaimed annual financial statements will make it difficult, if not impossible, for the airline to negotiate competitive aircraft leases.
Lamola leaves just under four years since his appointment as interim head. SAA has had 15 chief executives since 2010, meaning his tenure was far above average.
In a media statement, SAA noted that Lamola had led the airline through a critical rebuilding phase after its exit from business rescue and the pandemic. “Under his stewardship, SAA implemented a disciplined and focused rebuilding strategy, restoring operations and re-establishing its position within a highly competitive global aviation market.”
During Lamola’s tenure, the airline expanded its fleet from five to 19 aircraft and its route network from six to 17 destinations.
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