Latest news with #R85
The Citizen
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ghost workers drain billions from public funds
Ghost employees are being paid with taxpayer money, costing South Africa billions. This corruption must be rooted out with national audits and criminal prosecutions. The biggest problem facing public administration in South Africa – and the biggest opportunity for looters – is the lack of financial controls and even basic information on the government workforce. That is why it appears to have been a lucrative scam to create 'ghost workers' and then divert their salaries into the thieves' wallets. With a government salary bill of nearly R800 billion in this financial year – and a further R85 billion which is earmarked for employees in state-owned enterprises – the civil service is one fat cow waiting to be milked by the unscrupulous. Estimates are that there are probably tens of thousands of these bogus workers being paid like clockwork with taxpayer money… and that money, which probably runs into the billions, is what should be used for good works, development or even just to keep people from starving. The scale of the actual and possible looting is eyewatering. ALSO READ: How many ghost workers are there in government? The elimination of ghost workers at the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) alone saved it R200 million. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimates that ghost employees account for 8% of occupational fraud cases worldwide and experts believe this percentage could be even higher in South Africa, especially in government ranks, because of the lack of control and accountability. Other than Prasa, multiple cases of ghost workers have been revealed in sectors ranging from municipalities to government departments at provincial and national level. It is to be welcomed that President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the Special Investigating Unit to probe the ghost worker problem at Prasa… but it must go much further than that. Government directors-general must be told to audit their areas and if discrepancies are found, they must be dealt with. ALSO READ: More than R140 million in salaries paid to suspended government employees Anyone involved in these scams must be prosecuted and locked up because this is economic terrorism, plain and simple.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- IOL News
Fraudster posing as US government official swindles R100,000 from victim
The suspect is alleged to have used Facebook for his scam. A 29-year-old man who posed as a US government official and swindled almost R100,000 is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday. The man who was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) faces charges of fraud and money laundering. Provincial Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said the arrest follows an extensive investigation into fraud allegations, including the swindling of R85,800 from an unsuspecting victim in December 2022. 'It is alleged that the complainant was contacted via e-mail by a suspect who introduced himself as a representative of the government of the United States of America. The complainant was promised a Covid-19-related grant on condition that she deposit money into a certain bank account,' Matoti said.
IOL News
26-05-2025
- IOL News
How a Facebook scammer posing as a US official was caught in the Western Cape
The suspect is alleged to have used Facebook for his scam. A 29-year-old man who posed as a US government official and swindled almost R100,000 is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday. The man who was arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) faces charges of fraud and money laundering. Provincial Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti said the arrest follows an extensive investigation into fraud allegations, including the swindling of R85,800 from an unsuspecting victim in December 2022. 'It is alleged that the complainant was contacted via e-mail by a suspect who introduced himself as a representative of the government of the United States of America. The complainant was promised a Covid-19-related grant on condition that she deposit money into a certain bank account,' Matoti said.
Eyewitness News
12-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Maile: Of R1.8bn underspent by Gauteng govt, only R85m at risk of being forfeited to Treasury
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng government has clarified that while it has underspent its budget by R1.8 billion, it is only at risk of forfeiting R85 million back to National Treasury. The provincial government has been under fire following comments by Premier Panyaza Lesufi over his unhappiness with the budget allocation not being fully spent. Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile held a media briefing on Monday to clarify the matter. For the 2024 / 25 financial year, the Gauteng government spent 99% of its budget. Of the R1.8 billion unspent, R1.4 billion came from the provincial equitable share, with the rest coming from conditional grants. Maile said unspent funds from the provincial equitable share go back to the province for reallocation. 'When you look at the statement, the only money, if roll-overs were to be approved nationally, the province would have lost R85 million to Treasury." Maile said the Gauteng government has applied to the National Treasury to approve the rollover of R295 million out of the R381 million of unspent conditional grants to the next financial year.
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Mokopane business owner wins big at Limpopo Business Awards
LIMPOPO – Entrepreneur Dorothy Moyo is making waves in Limpopo's industrial sector after winning the Inaugural Limpopo Business Awards, hosted recently at The Ranch Resort by Standard Bank South Africa and Limpopo Provincial Government. Her company, Twothy Business Solution, has been instrumental in the mining and quarrying industry, providing services in steel fabrication, structural installation and maintenance, as well as valve and pump repairs to key clients including Mogalakwena Complex. Alongside a prestigious trophy and title, Moyo walked away with R85 000 in prize money, sponsored by Standard Bank – funds she plans to reinvest into her business by purchasing new machinery to boost production. 'I haven't digested the win yet. It feels like a dream,' she said, overwhelmed by emotion. 'This is my biggest award so far, and to be chosen out of 167 hardworking nominees is a huge deal.' Moyo stressed the personal sacrifices and challenges of entrepreneurship. 'Sometimes we don't have money to cater for everything within our businesses, but recognition like this fuels us to keep going. Remember, 'poverty is a state of mind.'' This isn't her first major accolade – she also took home the Limpopo Businesswoman of the Year Award and topped the Women in Mining category at the 2020 Limpopo Business Women Awards. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
