PRETORIA, Monday 26 October 2026 — Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has appointed Nomfundo Maseti as acting chief executive officer of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), placing an existing regulator member in charge while the government searches for a permanent head.
The appointment took effect on Sunday, 25 October, following the expiry of the extended term of outgoing chief executive Nomalanga Sithole.
Maseti takes over from Sithole
Nersa confirmed that Maseti would remain in the acting position until the minister appoints a permanent chief executive.
No deadline for that appointment has been announced.
Maseti is a full-time member of the Energy Regulator, with primary responsibility for piped-gas regulation.
Her appointment follows Sithole’s departure on 24 October, when her extended term ended.
The regulator said the transition was intended to maintain continuity in its operations.
Both senior leadership positions held in acting capacity
Maseti’s appointment means Nersa’s chief executive and chairperson positions are both currently occupied on an acting basis.
Ria Govender has served as acting chairperson since 15 June 2026.
She was appointed after former chairperson Thembani Bukula stepped down for health reasons.
The process to recruit a permanent chairperson is continuing separately from the appointment of a permanent chief executive.
Govender welcomed Maseti’s appointment, citing her experience and knowledge of the regulator.
Regulator oversees electricity and gas industries
Nersa regulates South Africa’s electricity, piped-gas and petroleum-pipeline industries.
Its responsibilities include licensing, tariff regulation and oversight of activities within the sectors under its jurisdiction.
The leadership transition comes as South Africa implements changes to its electricity market, including plans to expand competition in generation and reform the transmission system.
Nersa also has an important role in electricity pricing decisions affecting Eskom, municipalities, businesses and households.
The regulator has previously faced scrutiny over tariff calculations and the handling of Eskom’s revenue applications.
Gas regulation remains an important policy area
Maseti’s background in piped-gas regulation is relevant as government pursues additional gas-fired electricity generation.
Earlier in October, Ramokgopa announced a proposed procurement allocation comprising 5,000 megawatts of gas-to-power capacity and 4,600 megawatts of battery energy storage.
The programme forms part of the government’s plans to provide additional flexible electricity supply and support the changing generation mix.
Nersa’s regulatory responsibilities will remain significant as new generation and infrastructure projects move through the required approval processes.
Permanent appointments remain outstanding
The minister has not announced who will be considered for the permanent chief executive position or when recruitment will conclude.
The separate chairperson appointment also remains unresolved.
Maseti will lead the regulator during this transition, while government continues its wider electricity-sector reform programme.
The next institutional milestone will be the appointment of permanent leadership to the regulator’s two senior positions.
