Government ‘ghost workers’ milking taxpayers dry

As the government moves to tighten spending, parties are calling for speed in addressing ‘ghost workers’ within the public sector.

This follows Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s announcement last week that an audit would be undertaken to identify ghost workers in the public service.

Delivering the department’s budget vote, Godongwana said the audit will ‘identify bogus and non-existent employees, and immediately remove them from the system.’

The DA has welcomed the move, saying the audit must be conducted urgently.

“These fake employees cost taxpayers millions, and the audits could expose organised crime networks embedded in the public service,” said the party’s deputy spokesperson on Public Service and Administration , Leah Potgieter.

“The DA will push for strict monitoring to ensure these audits are carried out properly.

“Ghost worker schemes are not just wasteful, they are often linked to broader corruption involving officials who may also be looting other parts of the State,” said Potgieter.

The party further reiterated its call for a standardised pay framework for SOE CEOs and board members.

“Right now, salaries are arbitrary and out of step with industry norms or the actual responsibilities of the job.

“The CEO of the Development Bank earns R15.5-million a year, Eskom’s CEO earns R9-million, and Transnet’s earns R8.5-million – despite all three entities needing bailouts,” the party stated.

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