Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson announced sweeping reforms to the EPWP, including new recruitment guidelines aimed at preventing abuse, while confirming funding suspensions, lifestyle audits, and allegations of political gatekeeping under investigation.
Public Works and 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 KwaZulu-Natal.
Macpherson was speaking during a media briefing on Wednesday ahead of his Budget Vote in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), where he said the department was undertaking updates on seven key matters as part of what he described as its dual responsibility of improving internal systems while strengthening delivery.
He said the reform programme underway in the department was “irreversible”.
“We are taking the public into our confidence about the work we are doing to investigate wrongdoing, strengthen accountability, protect public money, and ensure that the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure works for all South Africans,” Macpherson said.
