The Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, has appointed Mr Leshabe Rampedi as an Administrator at the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS), following the dissolution of the Board. 
 

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

The Minister responded to these allegations by commissioning an independent investigation, which culminated in a Report that pointed 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 Board’s response, received on 3 November 2026, did not adequately address the deficiencies identified in the investigation, the Minister consequently decided to dissolve the Board.

The appointment of the Administrator will assist in providing leadership; to stabilise the Service and address its governance and operational challenges pending the appointment of the new Board. His responsibilities include finalising outstanding investigations, developing a turnaround plan and accelerating the filling of critical vacancies so that CSOS is able to deliver on its mandate.


Mr Rampedi is a seasoned senior executive with a distinguished long track record spanning for more than 25 years of public-sector experience. He served, amongst others, as an Accounting Officer (HoD) of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) in the Limpopo province and has been part of several interventions in the sector including in the provinces of Eastern Cape and Gauteng, the Nelson Mandela, and Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipalities. He is currently serving as a Board Member of the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Chairing its Finance Committee. He worked for numerous private sector companies such as Consol & Standard Bank before joining the public sector. He holds several qualifications including a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Accounting from the University of Western Cape and Master in Development Planning from the University of Limpopo.


The Minister wishes to appreciate the service of former board members for their contribution to CSOS and the broader human settlements’ family. The Minister notes that several of the former board members have welcomed her decision to dissolve the board, stressing their availability and commitment to ensure a smooth transition and handover. 



Enquiries: Tsekiso Machike, Spokesperson to the Minister on 077 410 5050  Tsekiso.Machike@dhs.gov.za. 

Issued by the Ministry of Human Settlements, Govan Mbeki House 240, Justice Mahomed Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria