891 potential ghost workers flagged in public-service payroll verification - IOL

891 potential ghost workers were identified across government departments following a nationwide payroll verification exercise.

Minister of Public Service and Administration Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi has revealed that 891 potential ghost workers have been identified across government departments, following a nationwide physical verification of employees on the public service payroll.

The Minister revealed this in a written parliamentary reply after being asked how many ghost workers had been identified following the activation of a real-time employee verification portal, and what steps had been taken against them.

He said that the figure did not come directly from the newly activated real-time employee verification portal, which is under the custodianship of National Treasury, but from a separate physical verification exercise conducted by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA).

The exercise was launched after the DPSA issued Circular 36 of 2025 on 8 September last year, requiring national and provincial departments and government components to physically verify everyone listed on their payrolls.

According to Buthelezi, returns from 131 of the 158 departments covered by the exercise accounted for 867,160 personnel records. Of these, 809,086 employees, or 93.3%, were physically verified.

The exercise flagged 891 potential ghost-worker cases for further investigation.

"For potential ghost employee cases identified, departments are required to freeze payments pending investigation," he said.

"Where evidence confirms a ghost worker, the relevant Accounting Officer or Head of Department must correct or remove the payroll record, terminate the service using the prescribed ghost employee termination type, audit the payroll, human resource and banking records, recover losses where applicable, institute disciplinary proceedings and report criminal conduct to the South African Police Service."

He added that departments must submit reports on the cases identified, including the action taken and any criminal referrals.

The Minister said the 891 cases were still being investigated and had not been confirmed as ghost workers.

"The principle is clear: every person paid through PERSAL must be a legitimate employee who is lawfully appointed, present at work and entitled to receive a salary."