Mopani audit reveals ghost EPWP workers, fraud investigated
A Mopani District audit uncovered ghost EPWP workers, with 67 unverified employees and multiple fraud cases now under police investigation.
LIMPOPO – A recent audit conducted by the Mopani District Municipality (MDM) has revealed the presence of ghost workers in the local municipalities’ Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP).
The EPWP is a government initiative aimed at creating job opportunities, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and fostering skills development.
The investigation stemmed from a verification process conducted by the Internal Audit Unit on May 7 of last year. All EPWP employees were asked to report with their ID cards for verification.
Out of 117 EPWP workers in Mopani, only 50 were verified, leaving 67 unaccounted for.
Read more: Mopani probes ghost EPWP workers, suspends officials
According to MDM spokesperson Odas Ngobeni, as of now, 50 employees still have not participated in the verification process. “We are working with law enforcement authorities to resolve the matter. Four cases have already been opened with the police. We are also implementing consequence management for officials who may have been involved. One official is already on suspension pending disciplinary proceedings. The council may also consider appointing an external investigator to verify all EPWP employees appointed by the municipality,” Ngobeni explained.
The four cases under investigation include a 37-year-old borehole operator from Julesburg village, who admitted to forging a councillor’s signature to secure the position, as the signature was a requirement for employment. Another case involves an individual who received a stipend for operating a borehole in Mokgolobotho while residing in Maruleng. A third case centers around someone who has been collecting a stipend for operating a borehole for six years without ever working on one. The fourth case involves a woman who continued to collect a stipend for a position even after the previous employee had long left the district.
During a recent ministerial visit by Deputy Minister Dickson Masemola in Giyani, it was revealed that a Mozambican national had been employed as an EPWP worker in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM). However, GTM has denied any knowledge of this and maintains that all its workers are legitimate and verified.
“I can confirm that we do not have any Mozambican nationals working for the GTM. All our workers are legitimate and have been verified,” said GTM spokesperson Vutivi Makhubele.
