9,000 lifestyle audits, zero consequences: Govt’s anti-corruption tool exposed as paper tiger

Lifestyle audits are meant to be a frontline weapon against corruption in the public service. The idea is simple: if an official’s lifestyle doesn’t match their salary, questions must be asked and answered.

But after almost 9,000 senior officials were audited, the results are raising serious doubts about whether the system delivers anything beyond paperwork.

According to the Department of Public Service and Administration, just 24 officials were flagged for undeclared income or hidden assets. None of those cases has been referred to law enforcement. No dismissals. No criminal charges.

What lifestyle audits are meant to do

Speaking on 702, Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi said lifestyle audits are designed to identify red flags, not to assume guilt.

Officials are required to declare assets annually. These declarations are then checked against property records, vehicle registrations and business interests. Where discrepancies emerge, further investigation follows.

The minister stressed that not everyred flag signals corruption, pointing to outdated vehicle registrations or administrative oversights as common explanations.

A system heavy on process, light on action

Pressed on why so few cases were flagged and why none have led to arrests or dismissals, Buthelezi rejected claims that the system is ineffective.

He argued that the low number of flagged cases shows most public servants are honest, adding that lifestyle audits are not meant to automatically trigger criminal prosecution.

Investigations, he said, are expensive, slow and resource-intensive, with each full probe taking months and costing thousands of rand.

No charges, no firings — not yet

The most striking admission came when the minister confirmed that, so far, no one has been dismissed or criminally charged because of lifestyle audits.

He said investigations are still ongoing and warned against acting before processes are complete.

Referrals to law enforcement, he insisted, only happen once ‘prima facie’evidence exists.

Cabinet audits are still in progress

President Cyril Ramaphosa has previously said ministers themselves would be subjected to lifestyle audits. Buthelezi confirmed that cabinet-level audits are currently underway, including his own.

He said he was unconcerned, adding that being flagged does not automatically imply wrongdoing.

Public confidence is wearing thin

The exchange ended with a blunt question: What is the point of lifestyle audits if they never lead to consequences?

After nearly 9,000 audits, zero prosecutions and zero dismissals, the government maintains the system is working.

Many South Africans are not convinced.

For more detail, listen to Buthelezi using the audio player below: