A comprehensive employee verification exercise at the Fezile Dabi District Municipality has found no evidence of ghost workers on the municipality’s payroll, following growing public concern over accountability and possible misuse of public funds in local government structures.
The physical headcount and verification process was conducted over three days, from 18 to 20 February by the municipality’s Human Resources and Internal Audit unit.
Every employee was required to appear in person, present an original bar-coded identity document or smart ID card, and sign official verification records to confirm their employment status.
Oupa Matwa, member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for Corporate Support Services, said the exercise was aimed at ensuring that every person receiving a municipal salary was legitimately employed and correctly remunerated.
Of the three employees initially not accounted for during the process, two were verified after returning from approved annual leave, while a third employee, on maternity leave, will be verified upon her return.
The DA administration has described the outcome as being part of broader efforts to tighten internal controls, improve oversight and prevent fraud and corruption.
Ghost employees – individuals fraudulently listed on payroll systems despite not working for an institution – have become a recurring concern in municipalities and government departments across South Africa, often costing taxpayers millions of rand annually.
Regular audits and employee verification exercises are expected to continue as part of the Fezile Dabi’s internal control systems.
