Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has appointed Lebogang Paul Mogashoa as the Pension Funds Adjudicator (PFA) for the Office of the Pension Funds Adjudicator (OPFA). The appointment is for a period of three years, effective December 8.

He will succeed incumbent PFA Muvhango Antoinette Lukhaimane.

The OPFA is a public entity that was established as a statutory ombud scheme, providing a platform for resolving disputes between pension fund members and funds, ensuring that the rights and interests of the public are protected.

The OPFA's primary role is to investigate and determine complaints related to pension funds in the interest of promoting accountability and fairness within the pension funds industry.

Mogashoa is mandated to establish and perform the functions of the OPFA and implement the duties as set out in the Pension Funds Act.

Mogashoa has more than 17 years of experience in pension fund law, governance, management and administration and has held various key positions, most recently serving as the deputy principal executive officer and company secretary of the Eskom Pension and Provident Fund.

Prior to this, he served as a senior corporate legal counsel at the Pension Fund Management Committee for the South African Tourism Board.

Mogashoa's career began as a legal intern at the OPFA, where he advanced to the role of senior assistant adjudicator. Mogashoa is also an admitted advocate and holds a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Limpopo, a Master of Management degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, and a Master of Law degree in mercantile law from the University of Pretoria, among other academic achievements.

Additionally, Mogashoa has completed an executive development programme at Stellenbosch University.

“Throughout his career within the pension funds sector, Mogashoa has demonstrated strong leadership and strategic insight, particularly in managing high-value litigation. His . . . understanding of the pension funds’ legal framework, coupled with his dedication to serving the South African public and all stakeholders, positions him as an ideal candidate to lead the OPFA,” Godongwana said on November 5.

As the PFA, Mogashoa is mandated to oversee the OPFA's functions, ensuring that he acts in the best interest of the public and the organisation while avoiding any conflicts of interest.