In a marked escalation of the state’s fight against graft, the Department of Public Service and Administration has unveiled a dual-pronged strategy centered on intensified lifestyle audits and a new central register for convicted officials. The measures were announced by Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi during an event commemorating International Anti-Corruption Day.
Minister Buthelezi stated that recent high-profile investigations have laid bare the systemic vulnerabilities enabling corruption. “Revelations at the Madlanga Commission and the Parliamentary ATO Committee have exposed how corruption thrives in public institutions when governance systems are weak,” he said.
To combat this, the department will leverage two critical instruments. First, lifestyle audits will be continued as a key mechanism to detect ill-gotten gains among public servants. Second, and notably, a central register will be established for individuals found guilty of corruption.
“This central register will function as a national integrity barometer,” Minister Buthelezi explained. “It is a mechanism that ensures that repeat offenders do not re-enter positions of influence within government.” He described the register as a barometer to prevent the ascension of such individuals to senior positions.
The Minister also addressed other persistent issues within the public sector, specifically the problem of “ghost workers” and public concerns over the employment of foreign nationals. He provided figures aimed at clarifying the latter point.
“To date, foreign nationals only constitute a small amount of 0.44% of the public service,” Buthelezi said, adding that all such appointments comply with the Public Service Act, its regulations, and the Immigration Act. He reiterated that the government’s priority remains the hiring of South Africans.
Looking forward, Minister Buthelezi indicated that the department is working to modernize its systems to prevent future abuse. “Work is underway to close historical loopholes by introducing streamlined, technology-driven systems that limit loopholes for manipulation,” he stated.
The announcement signals a renewed administrative focus on accountability and consequence management, directly responding to the weaknesses highlighted by recent judicial and parliamentary inquiries into state corruption.