Latest news with #PERSAL
TimesLIVE
09-07-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
400 'high risk' public works officials face lifestyle audits, says Macpherson
Public works minister Dean Macpherson says his department is this year extending the conduct of lifestyle audits on '400 high-risk officials' after completing those on 48 senior managers in the 2022/23 financial year. Presenting his budget vote in parliament on Wednesday, he said his department began in March 2025 to focus on the lifestyles of 400 officials in various divisions such as finance, ICT, procurement, property leases and other related projects. The department of public works, which among others is responsible for managing property leases of other government departments, runs a budget of more than R7bn a year. But its procurement of property leases has often been mired in allegations of corruption and other financial irregularities in which some of its officials have been implicated. Macpherson told MPs they were also clamping down on the 'ghost workers phenomenon' in his department. 'Trust in public institutions depends on the public's belief that we hold ourselves accountable for the work we do. One of these mechanisms is through lifestyle audits. 'On lifestyle audits, in 2022/23 we completed audits on 48 senior managers. We have now launched a wider process, focusing on 400 high-risk officials across finance, ICT, procurement, leases and projects. 'The first batch of 69 audits began in March and will be finalised by September. The next batch will follow from October 2025 to March 2026, and the remainder by March 2027. 'These audits are being conducted independently, in partnership with the Special Investigating Unit, and include asset verification. On the ghost employee phenomenon, our anti-corruption unit is auditing the PERSAL system across the department and EPWP to detect any fictitious employees drawing salaries without working. With the help of interns, we are conducting physical verification, ensuring that every person on the payroll exists, works and contributes. This is painstaking work, but it is necessary. We must ensure that we have a competent and present workforce to achieve our goals.' Macpherson reported that the probe into the controversial purchase of the rundown Telkom Towers in Pretoria to house the headquarters of the SAPS at a cost of R600m was nearing completion. 'It has not yielded any returns. Instead, we continue to pay security to prevent further vandalism. The draft investigation reveals a significant loss in terms of the value of the property owing to a series of damages to its infrastructure, and whether the project is still viable. The report should be finalised by the end of July, and where individuals have been implicated, we will not hesitate to act.'
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Enhancing governance: New initiative to collect data on foreign national public service workers
The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) said it has launched a wide-ranging data collection initiative focused on foreign nationals in a bid to bolster governance and national security. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The South African government has launched a data collection initiative targeting foreign nationals in public service to enhance governance and national security, addressing public concerns about undocumented workers. The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) said it has launched a wide-ranging data collection initiative focused on foreign nationals in a bid to bolster governance and national security. The initiative, which is already under way, aims to plug information gaps in existing systems and ensure compliance with national employment standards. According to the department, while the PERSAL system captures most employment-related information, it does not provide the full picture when it comes to foreign nationals working in public roles. 'This current request for data is vital, as the PERSAL system, while comprehensive, does not always capture all necessary information for effective policy formulation and public administration,' the DPSA said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The department underscored that this effort is not only about collecting figures but about refining the quality of data. 'Our commitment to data integrity means that we are not only gathering information but also verifying and analysing it to ensure a comprehensive overview once the process is complete.' The DPSA's move comes amid growing public concerns around undocumented or poorly recorded foreign nationals, especially within critical sectors like healthcare. However, the department has poured cold water on claims that '90% of foreign nationals in public health lack documented data.' 'Any claims regarding data deficiencies must be substantiated with credible information,' it stated. 'We are working with departments to ensure that all relevant data is current and correctly captured,' the department said. National security concerns also loom large in the department's reasoning. 'Our existing directive on the Employment of Foreign Nationals outlines strict norms and standards to ensure that such employment does not compromise state security,' the DPSA explained, adding that it works closely with security agencies to 'update our directives in response to evolving national security needs.' While some may see this as a heavy-handed tactic, the DPSA insists that the drive is about strengthening ethical governance. 'We view this initiative as an opportunity to strengthen governance and improve public service practices,' the department said. 'Our approach emphasises accountability and transparency, with the goal of developing a resilient public administration.' With data now being consolidated and analysed, the department said it continues to support individual public service departments to ensure accurate reporting. THE MERCURY
