Dear Editor
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will not allow the ghost workers crisis and the unlawful selling of posts to keep robbing South Africans of education, services, and jobs.
As Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Services, and DA Member of Parliament, I have requested strict oversight measures to hold government to account.
In 2016 an investigation into the sale of Educator positions was undertaken by respected academic Professor Volmink, and it found that in 6 provinces the South African Democratic Teachers Union was selling teaching posts. It directed remedial action, and since then there has been vague public information on any accountability in those Provinces.
I have written to Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, calling this matter to the Committee I chair, so that the Department of Basic Education and the Provincial Education Departments will account for the steps taken to date to implement the Volmink Report findings in those Provinces.
I also believe that the committee must address the matter of ghost employees on the payrolls of the Provincial Departments of Education. The DA welcomes that the Education Labour Relations Council will undertake a nationwide physical verification of educators, which will target ghost teachers and the corrupt selling of posts. The investigation by the ELRC is set for completion by October 2025, representing the decisive action that South Africans have been demanding.
Going forward the Committee will require mandatory quarterly reports on the implementation of the Volmink Report, the use of standardized templates, and will impose clear deadlines to ensure that ghost employees are rooted out once and for all.
Ghost workers are draining money across state institutions, and the DA has demanded Treasury action with regular reporting to Parliament. Every rand wasted on ghost salaries is money stolen from classrooms, hospitals, and communities.
The DA’s fight is clear:
- Remove ghost employees immediately;
- Stop the sale of posts that entrenches patronage and corruption; and
- Redirect stolen funds into growth, jobs, and quality services.
South Africa needs a professional and ethical public service. The DA is driving that change through action, accountability and results.
Regards
Jan de Villiers MP
DA Spokesperson on Public Service & Administration