The South African government has identified nearly 900 possible ghost workers in its verification process, according to Mzamo Buthelezi, the minister of public service and administration. This process aims to root out irregularities in the public service. The minister's announcement comes as the government seeks to optimize its workforce and ensure that public funds are being used efficiently.
The verification process is part of a broader effort to address issues of corruption and mismanagement in the public sector. According to reports, ghost workers have been costing taxpayers millions of rand. The minister's office has not provided further details on the nature of the irregularities or the actions being taken against those found to be involved.
The issue of ghost workers has been a longstanding problem in South Africa's public sector. In 2020, it was reported that over 1,100 ghost workers had been identified in the Covid-19 relief program, known as Ters. The program was intended to provide financial assistance to workers who had lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to the pandemic.
Minister Buthelezi has emphasized the need for a thorough and transparent verification process to ensure that all public service employees are legitimate and that their details are up to date. The process involves checking employee records, verifying identities, and confirming employment status.
The verification process has been rolled out across various government departments, with the aim of ensuring that public service employees are properly accounted for and that their salaries are being paid legitimately. The minister has called on all public servants to cooperate with the process and to provide the necessary documentation to verify their employment.
The South African government has been working to improve its management of public finances and to address issues of corruption and mismanagement. The verification process is part of a broader effort to ensure that public funds are being used efficiently and effectively.
The minister's announcement has been welcomed by some as a positive step towards addressing the issue of ghost workers in the public sector. However, others have expressed concerns about the potential impact on public servants who may be incorrectly identified as ghost workers.
Key points
- Almost 900 possible ghost workers have been identified in South Africa's public service verification process.
- The verification process aims to root out irregularities in the public service and ensure that public funds are being used efficiently.
- The issue of ghost workers has been a longstanding problem in South Africa's public sector, with over 1,100 ghost workers identified in the Covid-19 relief program in 2020.
