In a bold move to combat payroll fraud, the Gauteng Department of Health has frozen the salaries of 66 employees who failed to verify their employment status. This decisive action forms part of the department’s Ziveze (Reveal Yourself) campaign, an initiative launched in October 2024 to root out ghost workers and curb wasteful expenditure.
With a workforce of 85,642 employees, the department is determined to ensure that every individual on its payroll is actively contributing to the province’s healthcare system. The initiative comes amid growing concerns over financial mismanagement and the need for greater accountability in the public health sector.
Eliminating Ghost Workers to Maximise Resources
Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, emphasized the importance of verifying employment records to prevent financial wastage.
“We have limited resources at our disposal and cannot afford to waste money on ghost employees while hundreds of healthcare workers are looking for employment and thousands of people require access to healthcare services,” she stated.
Nkomo-Ralehoko further highlighted that any legitimate employee should have no reason to avoid the verification process, reinforcing the department’s stance on transparency and accountability.
Employees Urged to Comply with Verification Process
The department has made it clear that all employees must undergo verification at their local human resource offices.
Motalatale Modiba, spokesperson for the Gauteng Health Department, stressed that the process is crucial for ensuring that all workers are actively employed and their records align with the department’s official database.
“The verification process ensures that all employees are actively working and that their records match the Department’s official staff establishment,” Modiba explained.
To those who continue to avoid verification, Modiba issued a stern warning:
“Those who continue to avoid the verification process risk permanent removal from the payroll, including criminal cases being opened against them.”
This underscores the department’s unwavering commitment to accountability and responsible financial management.
Ziveze Campaign: Strengthening Accountability in Healthcare
Beyond just identifying fraudulent payroll activities, the Ziveze campaign aims to enhance accountability, optimise resource allocation, and ultimately improve service delivery.
By tackling payroll fraud, the Gauteng Department of Health seeks to restore integrity within the public healthcare workforce, ensuring that funds are directed towards essential services rather than being lost to corruption.
As the initiative continues, all employees are encouraged to cooperate, reinforcing the department’s commitment to efficiency, transparency, and quality healthcare for all citizens.
