Treasury Uncovers Suspected Ghost Employees in Public Service

South Africa’s public service payroll may be harboring a costly secret: ghost employees allegedly withdrawing salaries without ever showing up to work. The National Treasury disclosed interim findings on Wednesday, revealing that a preliminary investigation is underway to identify civil servants who could be illegally claiming pay.

The project was first announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in his 2025 Budget speech after the Democratic Alliance (DA) insisted on a full-scale audit of ghost employees as a precondition for supporting the budget.

Early Findings and the Verification Process

While the Treasury cautions that the results are not yet final, Ayanda Hlatshwayo, Acting Chief Data Analytics Officer, told the Public Service and Administration Portfolio Committee that significant progress has been made using PERSAL data cross-referenced with records from SARS, Home Affairs, and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA).

“We are conducting careful verification to ensure that we do not accuse anyone wrongly. Once we complete a two-month verification window, we will be in a position to release accurate findings,” Hlatshwayo explained.

The process includes flagging officials without valid identification numbers, matching photos and biometric data, and reconciling anomalies such as a single photo linked to multiple PERSAL profiles. Those flagged will have a chance to verify their employment or provide explanations, helping distinguish genuine administrative errors from fraudulent claims.

Political Reactions: Outrage Across the House

The revelations sparked outrage among MPs, highlighting frustrations over ongoing financial wastage in the public sector.

ANC MP Pretty Xaba-Ntshaba expressed disbelief that government departments were still paying ghost employees:

“We don’t have money in South Africa, but these departments have money to pay ghosts.”

ANC MP Phumelele Ndamase described the issue as “corruption personified,” noting that the problem has been known in some regions, such as the Eastern Cape, for over a decade.

EFF MP Sixolise Gcilishe lamented the opportunity cost:

“The money wasted on ghost employees could have gone to critical areas like health and education.”

Committee Chairperson Jan de Villiers emphasised that ghost employee identification must lead to accountability.

“It is not enough to just identify them. People involved must be investigated and prosecuted. This is likely just the tip of the iceberg of corruption,” he said.

De Villiers also suggested that such audits should be conducted regularly at least bi-annually to prevent systemic abuse.

DPSA Takes Steps to Prevent Payroll Abuse

In line with Treasury efforts, the DPSA issued a circular last month mandating provincial and national departments to implement a robust framework for verifying employees and payroll records.

Acting Deputy Director-General Anusha Naidoo outlined the requirements:

“Departments must conduct a complete physical verification of all personnel, update records on payroll and human resources systems, and ensure that only legitimate employees receive remuneration.”

Departments are expected to submit reports on employee verification by February 28, 2026, signalling a concerted effort to tighten controls and protect public finances.

Social Media and Public Reaction

The announcement triggered significant chatter online, with South Africans expressing frustration at longstanding inefficiencies and corruption in government payrolls. On Twitter and Facebook, users called for swift prosecution of ghost employees, transparency in public finances, and greater accountability from ministers and departmental heads. Hashtags like #StopGhostPayments and #PublicServiceIntegrity have begun trending within civic and policy-focused circles.

A Chance for Systemic Reform

The ghost employee investigation represents more than just financial housekeeping. Experts say it could expose deeper structural weaknesses in payroll systems and act as a springboard for broader anti-corruption reforms.

“By rooting out ghost employees, the Treasury isn’t just saving money, it is potentially uncovering networks of corruption that affect service delivery nationwide,” one policy analyst noted.

With Treasury and DPSA taking coordinated action, South Africans are watching closely, hoping this initiative transforms accountability in the public sector and ensures taxpayer money is directed where it is needed most.

{Source: IOL}

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