Ghost Workers in the Public Sector: A Deliberate Form of Systemic Corruption

Strategic Insights -

The haunting issue of ghost workers in the public sector continues to plague South Africa, with its corrosive effects not limited to mere payroll irregularities. According to Jan de Villiers, CHAIRPERSON of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, the phenomenon of ghost workers is not an administrative error, but a deliberate and orchestrated form of systemic corruption. The true scope of the problem remains unknown, as a joint audit between the Department of Public Service and Administration and the National Treasury attempts to shed light on the extent of the issue.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Department of Public Service and Administration confirmed that ghost workers are present across all three spheres of government, affecting national and provincial departments, municipalities, agencies, and state-owned entities.
  • The Auditor-General (AG) uncovered R6.4 million in salaries being paid to ghost workers at the Mpumalanga Department of Education last year.
  • The Gauteng health department froze the salaries of 230 employees who could not be verified in May this year.
  • De Villiers emphasized that the people behind the creation of ghost workers are syndicates - criminal organizations - and not rogue individuals taking advantage of the system.
  • The joint audit will employ a data-driven approach, marking a departure from the fragmented and ad-hoc audits of the past.
  • The audit will begin with a physical, in-person human verification of all government employees, underpinned by mandatory biometric identification.

Statistics:

  • R6.4 million: The amount of salaries paid to ghost workers at the Mpumalanga Department of Education uncovered by the Auditor-General (AG) last year.
  • 230: The number of employees in the Gauteng health department whose salaries were frozen in May this year due to non-verification.
  • Multiple government spheres: The Department of Public Service and Administration confirmed the presence of ghost workers affects national and provincial departments, municipalities, agencies, and state-owned entities alike.

Sources:

  • "De Villiers warns of ghost workers menace" by Jan de Villiers, CHAIRPERSON of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration.
  • 7th Parliament’s regular Committee Cluster Media Engagement programme.
  • “Department of Public Service and Administration confirms presence of ghost workers” by the Department of Public Service and Administration.
  • “Auditor-General’s report reveals ghost workers at Mpumalanga Department of Education” by the Auditor-General.