Looters’ paradise or critical body? Debate over role of state pensions agency

It’s been a national talking point these past few weeks thanks to our intrepid investigative journalist, Sikonathi Mantshantsha, who’s refusing to take his foot off the pedal when it comes to the numerous allegations of dodgy payments to the tune of billions at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA).First came revelations that the agency awarded a company many millions to lease out a Pretoria building for a decade, which said company had zero control over. These are certainly not the only questionable contracts the agency’s dished out that’s now landed it in hot water with National Treasury albeit after News24’s investigations gained traction. With a new acting CEO appointed to discipline those who allegedly targeted whistleblowers in the agency, The Lead turns to Manshantsha who argues that the GPAA should not exist as a potential feeding trough for criminals. He’s joined by our well-known consumer financial journalist, Maya Fisher-French, who argues that the GPAA ought to be stabilised to assist the Government Employees’ Pension Fund. She also sizes up how these negative headlines affect the value of pension payouts at the end of the day. Finally, we end off with “On This Day in SA History”. You can send host Graeme Raubenheimer a voice note with your questions or thoughts on this episode to: +27 72 562 3179. Mail your comments to: thelead@24.com. Editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.