Millions paid to “ghost workers” spark outrage in North West education

A costly mistake or something deeper?

In a province already battling service delivery challenges, a staggering revelation has left many South Africans shaking their heads.

More than R114 million in public funds was paid out in salaries to people who, on paper, shouldn’t have been paid at all, including individuals who had resigned, retired, or even passed away.

The findings, flagged by Auditor-General South Africa, have once again put the spotlight on how taxpayer money is managed behind the scenes.

How did this happen?

According to the audit, the issue dates back to the 2022–23 financial year, when the North West education department failed to remove former employees from its payroll system in time.

The result? Payments continued for services that were never rendered.

By the time the problem was identified, the department had racked up a staff debt of over R114 million money that is now unlikely to be recovered.

Officials say the root of the issue lies in outdated, manual systems that created delays in processing resignations and terminations.

“Not a collapse,” says department

Despite the scale of the loss, the department insists this is not a sign of a broader governance failure.

Spokesperson Vuyo Mantshule has described the incidents as isolated, arguing that gaps in manual processes particularly around timing led to the overpayments.

To fix this, the department has introduced a new automated system aimed at improving how employee exits are tracked and processed.

But for many observers, that explanation doesn’t fully land.

Opposition calls it a systemic failure

Critics, including Democratic Alliance representatives in the provincial legislature, see the situation very differently.

They argue that such large-scale overpayments point to deeper problems, weak oversight, poor internal controls, and a lack of accountability.

There are also unanswered questions:
Who approved the payments?
Were warning signs ignored?
And most importantly, will anyone be held responsible?

Without clear consequences, critics say, new systems alone won’t fix the problem.

A familiar story in South Africa

For many South Africans, the phrase “ghost workers” isn’t new.

Over the years, similar scandals have surfaced across different departments and municipalities, often involving outdated systems, weak verification processes, or in some cases, deliberate fraud.

It’s part of a broader pattern where administrative gaps open the door for wasteful expenditure, something the country can ill afford.

Public reaction: frustration and fatigue

On social media, reactions have been swift and sharp.

Many users expressed anger at the idea that millions can disappear through administrative failures while schools in the same province struggle with basic resources.

Others pointed out the irony: teachers and staff often face delays in legitimate payments, yet “ghost workers” seem to get paid without issue.

The sentiment is clear, people want accountability, not explanations.

Can technology fix the problem?

The department’s new automated system designed to track terminations and prevent delays, could help close some of the gaps.

But experts caution that technology is only as effective as the people managing it.

Without proper oversight, regular audits, and strong consequence management, even the best systems can fail.

What happens next

Investigations into the irregular payments are ongoing, with cases expected to be referred for disciplinary action where necessary.

The focus now shifts to recovery, although officials have already indicated that much of the R114 million may never be recouped.

The bigger picture

At its core, this isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet.

It’s about trust.

Every rand lost to inefficiency or mismanagement is a rand that could have gone towards classrooms, textbooks, or improving the quality of education.

As the story unfolds, the real test will be whether this becomes just another headline or a turning point for how public funds are protected in South Africa.