[South Africa] Gauteng Department of Health freezes 66 unverified workers’ salaries

In South Africa, the Gauteng Department of Health has frozen the salaries of 66 employees as part of its ongoing initiative to eliminate ghost workers from the payroll, The South African reports.

The Ziveze campaign launched in October 2024 and will conclude at the end of March 2025. Gauteng Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba confirmed that the department had made significant progress with employee verifications. 

Of 85,642 workers, 31,345 were reportedly verified during the campaign’s first phase. The second phase began on January 13, it has verified an additional 30,508 employees, with 23,789 yet to be confirmed.

“The verification team still has until 31 March 2025 to verify the remaining cohort of employees,” Mr Modiba said.

“Those who continue to avoid the verification process risk permanent removal from the payroll, including criminal cases being opened against them.”

The department launched the campaign in response to concerns about fraudulent salary payments. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ 2022 report on occupational fraud identified ghost employees as one of the most common types of workplace fraud, accounting for 8 per cent of reported cases globally. 

By ensuring only legitimate employees receive salaries, the department reportedly aims to strengthen accountability and improve resource allocation in healthcare facilities.

“All employees have been urged to physically verify themselves by visiting their facility’s Human Resources office or any designated verification site,” Mr Modiba said.

With salaries already frozen for some unverified employees, the department has stated that further action could follow if individuals fail to complete the verification process. While some cases remain under review, the department reportedly continues its push for full compliance before the deadline.

“As of 25 February 2025, salaries have been frozen for 66 unverified employees, excluding pending cases,” Mr Modiba said.

Source: The South African

(Quotes via original reporting)

In South Africa, the Gauteng Department of Health has frozen the salaries of 66 employees as part of its ongoing initiative to eliminate ghost workers from the payroll, The South African reports.

The Ziveze campaign launched in October 2024 and will conclude at the end of March 2025. Gauteng Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba confirmed that the department had made significant progress with employee verifications. 

Of 85,642 workers, 31,345 were reportedly verified during the campaign’s first phase. The second phase began on January 13, it has verified an additional 30,508 employees, with 23,789 yet to be confirmed.

“The verification team still has until 31 March 2025 to verify the remaining cohort of employees,” Mr Modiba said.

“Those who continue to avoid the verification process risk permanent removal from the payroll, including criminal cases being opened against them.”

The department launched the campaign in response to concerns about fraudulent salary payments. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ 2022 report on occupational fraud identified ghost employees as one of the most common types of workplace fraud, accounting for 8 per cent of reported cases globally. 

By ensuring only legitimate employees receive salaries, the department reportedly aims to strengthen accountability and improve resource allocation in healthcare facilities.

“All employees have been urged to physically verify themselves by visiting their facility’s Human Resources office or any designated verification site,” Mr Modiba said.

With salaries already frozen for some unverified employees, the department has stated that further action could follow if individuals fail to complete the verification process. While some cases remain under review, the department reportedly continues its push for full compliance before the deadline.

“As of 25 February 2025, salaries have been frozen for 66 unverified employees, excluding pending cases,” Mr Modiba said.

Source: The South African

(Quotes via original reporting)