SABS Board’s Gross Maladministration

Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is alarmed by the escalating governance crisis and repeated cybersecurity breaches at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). Despite multiple interventions, expenditure of R140 million including capital expenditure of R9.5 million for improved IT security, the SABS remains in disarray, putting public safety and industrial credibility at risk.

Over the past several months, serious governance failures at the SABS have come to light, including:

• An illegally constituted board with insufficient members, impairing decision-making.
• A revolving door of acting executives creating accountability gaps and perpetuating dysfunction.
• Allegations of corruption and deliberate organisational destabilisation by senior management.
• Loss of key laboratory accreditations critical to industry and public safety.

Further compounding these issues, a ransomware attack has crippled SABS’s IT systems, leaving operations at a standstill, from certification processes to employee salaries. Alarmingly, whistleblower reports allege that funds allocated for cybersecurity were misappropriated, and key leadership figures failed to act despite prior warnings.

This negligence not only jeopardises public safety but also risks losing critical accreditation, immobilising sectors that depend on SABS certifications. Assurances provided by Minister Tau and Acting Director General Malebo Mabitje-Thompson that the dtic internal audit department is investigating these allegations have so far proven hollow.

The DA calls for:

• Immediate independent audits of SABS cybersecurity expenditures and outcomes.
• Enhanced transparency in informing affected clients about data breaches.
• Urgent Ministerial intervention to dissolve the board and place SABS under administration.

The DA reiterates its commitment to holding the government accountable for the safety and security of South Africans. The failure of leadership at SABS reflects broader systemic issues that must be urgently addressed to restore public trust.

The SABS is a cornerstone of South Africa’s industrial and economic ecosystem. The DA will not allow this vital institution to continue its downward spiral under the weight of mismanagement, corruption, and inaction.

Regards

Toby Chance MP
DA Spokesperson on Trade, Industry & Competition