[South Africa] Gauteng Health Department freezes salaries over suspected payroll fraud

In South Africa, the Gauteng Department of Health has taken a significant step in its fight against payroll fraud by freezing the salaries of 66 employees who failed to verify their employment status, IOL reports.

The latest move in the department's Ziveze (Reveal Yourself) campaign, launched October 2024, is designed to eradicate ghost workers from the department’s payroll system as concerns grow about wasteful spending.

The Gauteng Department of Health currently has 85,642 individuals on its payroll. It reportedly reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every employee is legitimate and plays an active role in delivering critical healthcare services to the community.

"We have limited resources at our disposal and cannot afford to waste money on ghost employees while hundreds of healthcare workers are looking for employment and thousands of people require access to healthcare services," Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko - MEC for Health and Wellness - said.

Ms Nkomo-Ralehoko added that there should be no rational objection to the verification process from any legitimate employee.

Motalatale Modiba - spokesperson for the Gauteng Health Department - urged all employees to present themselves at their local HR offices for verification.

"The verification process ensures that all employees are actively working, and that their records match the Department’s official staff establishment," Mr Modiba said.

As the Ziveze campaign continues, the department has issued an urgent warning to individuals who may resist the verification process.

"Those who continue to avoid the verification process risk permanent removal from the payroll, including criminal cases being opened against them," he said. Adding that this step highlights the seriousness of the initiative and the department's commitment to accountability and responsible use of public funds.

Mr Modiba reportedly said that by addressing issues of payroll fraud, the Gauteng Department of Health seeks to bolster the integrity of the healthcare workforce and improve service delivery across the province.

Source: IOL

(Quotes via original reporting)

In South Africa, the Gauteng Department of Health has taken a significant step in its fight against payroll fraud by freezing the salaries of 66 employees who failed to verify their employment status, IOL reports.

The latest move in the department's Ziveze (Reveal Yourself) campaign, launched October 2024, is designed to eradicate ghost workers from the department’s payroll system as concerns grow about wasteful spending.

The Gauteng Department of Health currently has 85,642 individuals on its payroll. It reportedly reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every employee is legitimate and plays an active role in delivering critical healthcare services to the community.

"We have limited resources at our disposal and cannot afford to waste money on ghost employees while hundreds of healthcare workers are looking for employment and thousands of people require access to healthcare services," Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko - MEC for Health and Wellness - said.

Ms Nkomo-Ralehoko added that there should be no rational objection to the verification process from any legitimate employee.

Motalatale Modiba - spokesperson for the Gauteng Health Department - urged all employees to present themselves at their local HR offices for verification.

"The verification process ensures that all employees are actively working, and that their records match the Department’s official staff establishment," Mr Modiba said.

As the Ziveze campaign continues, the department has issued an urgent warning to individuals who may resist the verification process.

"Those who continue to avoid the verification process risk permanent removal from the payroll, including criminal cases being opened against them," he said. Adding that this step highlights the seriousness of the initiative and the department's commitment to accountability and responsible use of public funds.

Mr Modiba reportedly said that by addressing issues of payroll fraud, the Gauteng Department of Health seeks to bolster the integrity of the healthcare workforce and improve service delivery across the province.

Source: IOL

(Quotes via original reporting)