The Public Service Commission (PSC) will introduce lifestyle audits for government workers from February 2022.<\/p>\n
In a presentation on Tuesday (7 December), the group said that the audits would draw from a variety of databases that would provide management and investigators with a snapshot into certain aspects of the life of an employee.<\/p>\n
“Sometimes, the only clue to illicit activities is a sudden unexplained change in an employee’s lifestyle. The lifestyle audit is, therefore, a critical management tool to identify staff members who, based on extravagant lifestyles, may potentially be engaging in illicit activities,” it said.<\/p>\n
“This understanding of a lifestyle audit is consistent with the description as contained in the Economics Dictionary, which points out that it is an investigation to ascertain whether a person’s living standards is consistent with his\/her reported income.”<\/p>\n
If South Africa is to avoid becoming a failed state, public servants are responsible for ensuring that they live within their reported incomes, the PSC said.<\/p>\n
Lifestyle audits will also help strengthen the already existing financial disclosure framework that helps determine conflict of interest.<\/p>\n
The group provided an example of a lifestyle audit as follows:<\/p>\n
“In this regard, it needs to be noted that most public servants are honest and people of integrity. Some public servants could have acquired their wealth through honest means, e.g., inheritance, a wealthy partner, and as a successful business person,” the PSC said.<\/p>\n
“The PSC will be the first to undertake lifestyle audits of all its commissioners and employees to lead by example.”<\/p>\n