Public Works & Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson says a ghost employee audit has uncovered about 60 individuals who were allegedly paid salaries without being legitimate employees, with most of the cases identified in KZN.

Macpherson was speaking during a media briefing yesterday ahead of his budget vote in the NCOP.

He said the department was undertaking an ‘irreversible’ reform programme to improve internal systems while strengthening delivery.

Macpherson said investigations were being conducted across several areas, including leasing failures, procurement, employment fraud, Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) abuse, and major infrastructure-related corruption probes, says The Mercury.

He added that disciplinary, civil, and criminal action would follow where wrongdoing is confirmed. 

Macpherson announced major reforms to EPWP, including revised recruitment guidelines aimed at improving transparency and preventing abuse to give people ‘a fair opportunity to work, earn, and build their skills. It must never be used as a tool for patronage, control, or abuse’.

He confirmed that three officials had resigned after refusing to submit to lifestyle audits, adding that accountability measures would continue.

He also confirmed that EPWP funding to eThekwini Municipality had been withheld following Auditor-General findings relating to ghost beneficiaries and irregular payments, with another metro also under investigation.

Macpherson confirmed that investigations were ongoing across multiple areas, including an expanded forensic probe into the PSA oxygen plant tender following a request from Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi.

Macpherson said the probe is expected to be completed by the end of June.

Full report in The Mercury