South Africa has identified more than 4,000 suspected “ghost workers” on government payrolls following a comprehensive audit aimed at tackling fraud and easing pressure on the public wage bill.
According to the National Treasury, a review of the government’s Personnel and Salary System (PERSAL) flagged 4,323 suspicious cases. State broadcaster SABC reported that a nationwide physical verification process is now underway.
Employees who cannot be physically verified risk having their salaries withheld and their employment suspended pending investigation.
Fraud and Financial Impact
Authorities say fraudulent payments — including duplicate identity numbers, salaries paid to deceased individuals, and irregular bank account details — cost the state billions of rand each year.
Compensation spending accounts for nearly a third of consolidated government expenditure, making payroll reform a key fiscal priority.
Early Retirement Programme
Alongside the audit, the government is implementing an Early Retirement Programme to reduce staff numbers and generate savings. Treasury reports that 7,687 applications were approved in the first phase, with projected savings of R2.6 billion in the current financial year.
An additional R3.7 billion has been allocated to departmental budgets for the 2025/26 and 2026/27 financial years to support the initiative.
Data-Driven Oversight
Unlike previous audits, the latest review relies on cross-checking payroll records with tax data from the South African Revenue Service, identity and biometric records from the Department of Home Affairs, and banking information to detect anomalies.
Officials say investigations will continue in the coming months, with disciplinary and criminal proceedings expected where fraud is confirmed.
SOURCE :TRT AFRICA
