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The Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition has noted the decision by the National Consumer Commission (NCC) to formally investigate findings by the University of the Free State's Microbiology Department regarding certain sanitary products sold in South Africa.

The matter came under the spotlight this week when the NCC briefed the committee on its financial and non-financial performance for the first three quarters of the 2025/26 financial year.

During the engagement, Members of the committee sought clarity on reports that some sanitary pads and panty liners, marketed and sold as free from harmful substances, were found in a university study to contain hormone-disrupting chemicals.

The committee views the allegations in a serious light, given that these products are used daily by millions of women and young girls across the country. Any risk to their health, particularly from products marketed as safe, demands urgent and decisive action.

The NCC informed the committee that it met with the University on Monday to scrutinise the report and its findings. Following that engagement, the Commission resolved to initiate a full investigation rather than immediately proceed with a product recall.

The NCC indicated that further probing is required to validate the findings and that it is working with other regulators with specialised testing capabilities to independently review the report and conduct additional testing. This broader testing process will extend across menstrual products to ensure consumer safety.

Chairperson of the committee, Mr Mzwandile Masina, said the committee supports a thorough and scientifically sound process that puts the health and safety of South Africans first.

“The NCC represents the issues of the people on the ground at any given time. When concerns are raised about products that affect the dignity, health and wellbeing of women and girls, we cannot look the other way. We welcome the investigation and we expect it to be thorough, transparent and guided by credible science. The outcome must be in the best interests of South Africans and must restore public confidence,” said Mr Masina.

The committee emphasised that while a recall has not yet been effected, the investigation must be handled with urgency. Consumers deserve clear answers on whether these products are safe, whether any standards have been violated, and what corrective steps will follow if wrongdoing is confirmed.

The Chairperson further noted that the process must not only determine whether affected products should be removed from retail shelves, but also strengthen oversight mechanisms to prevent similar incidents in the future. This includes reviewing compliance systems, strengthening testing protocols, and ensuring manufacturers adhere strictly to product safety standards.

The committee will continue to exercise its oversight role and expects regular updates from the NCC as the investigation unfolds.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

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The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration this week noted and welcomed the updates in the 2026 Budget Review on the ghost worker audit underway. The committee has welcomed this, as well as several broader reforms announced by National Treasury this week aimed at strengthening the public service.

The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Jan de Villiers, said that the committee notes the preliminary results of verification processes, which identified 4 323 high-risk cases of possible payroll system fraud in national and provincial departments. “The committee has consistently called for accountability and investigations into ghost employees, as we consider this a critical step towards restoring public confidence in financial management in the public service,” he said.

“We have also been clear about the need for evidence of results, including the number of ghost employees identified and removed, the monies recovered and the number of prosecutions. While the committee is encouraged by the number of ghost workers identified, we call for consequences where wrongdoing has been confirmed, which must include prosecutions and successful convictions.”

The committee also called on the relevant departments, National Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA), to heed the urgency of this verification process. “The integrity of the public service is foundational to constitutional governance, and verification and decisive action in this regard cannot be delayed.”

The budget documents show that compensation of employees accounts for nearly one-third of consolidated expenditure. “So, any weaknesses in payroll controls have significant fiscal implications,” said Mr de Villiers. “The committee therefore calls for detailed breakdowns of the 4 323 high-risk cases, including departmental and provincial distribution and the financial exposure associated with each category. “Employees who cannot be verified must be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with due process.”

The committee is encouraged by the allocations aimed at supporting the modernisation of the government payroll system and the national e-government procurement platform. The committee noted that ghost workers identified will be verified using facial matching against the National Population Register and physical verification, including cross-checking results with the DPSA and the Department of Basic Education ghost worker projects. It also noted that the next phase of the verification project will integrate with improvements to payroll systems and the rollout of a single sign-on for public servants, enabling automated oversight and reducing irregularities.

“We believe all this will support efforts to build a professional, capable and ethical state,” said the Chairperson. “These allocations for payroll modernisation and the national e-government procurement platform represent important progress towards a more digitised and transparent public administration.”

The committee further noted that R3.7 billion has been allocated for the Early Retirement Programme. The Budget Review document projected a net savings of R5.5 billion over the medium term through this programme. “While the programme presents an opportunity to manage the wage bill, the committee will request clarity on how departments will mitigate skills gaps that may result and maintain service delivery capacity, particularly in critical technical posts,” said Mr de Villiers.

The committee was also encouraged by the additional funds allocated over the medium term to support the work of key institutions such as the Public Service Commission (PSC). It has consistently called for adequate resourcing of the PSC to strengthen the Commission's oversight and investigative capacity. “This is important for the PSC to fulfil its mandate and to build a capable, professional and ethical public service.”

The committee will closely monitor the implementation of these announcements. “We will prepare requests for further written information and meetings with the DPSA and National Treasury to ensure sustained oversight and measurable progress in the processes underway,” said Mr de Villiers.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.