Public Works minister cracks down on dept corruption with audits and ghost employee probe

Ray White (in for Bongani Bingwa) is joined by Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson.

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Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson is cracking down on corruption in his department.

He has confirmed that lifestyle audits have been launched on 400 'high-risk' officials in key positions.

He's also looking into so-called 'ghost employees' costing the department millions and says a physical verification process is also underway to ensure every person on the department’s payroll actually exists.

He says those that are subject to the audits have been identified through a process of elimination:

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"We had conducted questionnaires, skill audits and verification of employees assets, and those that don't match up, or those that were evasive in their answers, have been flagged."

Dean Macpherson, Public Works Minister

Macpherson states that the initial batch of results will be available in September.

"We hope to conclude the process by March 2027 or sooner."

Dean Macpherson, Public Works Minister

Macpherson states he's also investigating contradictions within the department.

Specifically, he says the R6 billion a year spent on private leases by the leasing portfolio, while government buildings sit empty.

"My view is, that there is collusion between officials and landlords, that's why the SIU is investigating the top ten leases by value of about R1 billion, because I'm not convinced that we've achieved value for money per square metre."

Dean Macpherson, Public Works Minister

The minister also expresses concern that the lease process was not conducted fairly or transparently.

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