SABC responds to ‘ghost worker’ reports
It’s alleged that close to two dozen ghost workers have been drawing a salary from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) over the past six months. However, while the national broadcaster says it would like to distance itself from the source of these allegations, it has confirmed it has launched an extensive investigation into the matter.
An email claiming to contain an internal report which found that at least 20 ‘ghost’ workers benefited from the SABC over the past six months has been circulating on social media over the past weekend.
According to the supposed report, the contracts of the ‘ghost’ workers implicated The SABC Group Executive for News and Current Affairs, the SABC News Head of Output, and the SABC News Channel Head for being part of the alleged hiring and paying of these workers.
However, in a statement released on Sunday (17 December), the SABC said it has noted with concern the contents of an anonymous email on social media regarding the payment of ‘ghost workers’ at the SABC News division.
“In this regard, the Corporation would like to set the record straight on this matter and confirm that the SABC Group Executive for News and Current Affairs, Moshoeshoe Monare, has launched an extensive investigation into freelance contracts that turned out to be irregular, corrupt and fraudulent,” it said.
The SABC also noted that one of the managers under investigation tendered their resignation with immediate effect, while other staff members are facing disciplinary processes.
“The matter is addressed within the SABC’s human resources policies and will also be referred to the other relevant authorities for further investigation,” it said.
The SABC added it would also like to appeal to the public to refrain from distributing fake emails that contain unverified information.
Speaking to SABC News on the progress of the investigation, Monare said they have indeed uncovered at least three ghost employees that were paid over the six-month period; however, he added that he could not say whether this is the true number as the investigation is still ongoing.
Addressing the allegations implicating himself, Monare noted that he is still looking into the origin of the email before he responds as he is unsure as to what he is being accused of.
However, he did say that all irregular or fraudulent contracts are being terminated with immediate effect, and other cases are being forwarded to the relevant police divisions.
Monare also noted that the SABC will also move to recoup any monies that have been paid to irregular or fraudulent contracts.
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