{"id":792388,"date":"2024-09-27T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=792388"},"modified":"2024-09-26T15:30:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T13:30:40","slug":"this-is-how-many-government-officials-are-suspended-with-pay-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/government\/792388\/this-is-how-many-government-officials-are-suspended-with-pay-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"This is how many government officials are suspended with pay in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There are currently 471 government officials sitting at home on paid suspension \u2013 up from the 417 recorded a year ago<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of these 471 officials, 288 are public servants in national departments and 183 from provincial departments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was revealed by Public Service and Administration Minister Mzamo Buthelezi in a recent parliamentary response to a question from EFF’s Sixolisa Gcilishe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to information captured on the Personnel Salary System (PERSAL), as of the end of July 2024, 54 of these employees have been suspended for a period longer than one year while receiving pay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The longest period that a public servant has spent while on paid suspension in the 2023-24 financial year is five years,” said Buthelezi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Number of years<\/strong> on paid suspension<\/strong><\/td>Number of cases<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
More than 1 year, less than 2 years<\/td>32<\/td><\/tr>
More than 2 years, less than 3 years<\/td>16<\/td><\/tr>
More than 3 years, less than 4 years<\/td>1<\/td><\/tr>
More than 4 years, less than 5 years<\/td>4<\/td><\/tr>
More than 5 years, less than 6 years<\/td>1<\/td><\/tr>
 <\/strong><\/td>54<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of the 54 employees on suspension for more than a year, 17 are from the education sector, and eight are from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“These cases are considered complex cases and could not be finalised within the prescribed period,” saide Buthelezi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the education sector, cases involving teachers committing sexual transgressions against learners are referred to the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC) and “these teachers cannot be considered for precautionary transfers.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ELRC indicated it has a backlog of cases, which impacts the finalisation of cases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking at the NPA cases, some involve allegations of corruption, fraud and financial investigations and prosecutors cannot be considered for precautionary transfers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Some of the cases in the NPA were delayed due to attempts to interdict the disciplinary process and by challenging suspensions,” said Buthelezi. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking at cases that have gone on for longer than 3 years, these were recorded by the:<\/p>\n\n\n\n