The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Treasury has pledged its full support for a nationwide initiative aimed at verifying all government employees and investigating allegations of ghost workers and payroll irregularities across the public service.
The verification exercise forms part of National Treasury Instruction No. 4 of 2026/27 and is intended to strengthen financial governance, improve the accuracy of employee records, and ensure responsible use of public funds.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance, Francois Rodgers, welcomed the initiative on Wednesday, describing it as a crucial step towards building a capable and ethical State.
“This initiative reinforces accountability, improves the integrity of employee data, and ensures that public funds are used responsibly. It directly supports government’s commitment to building a capable and ethical State, whilst reducing the ever-growing salary bill in the country,” Rodgers said.
The National Treasury directive introduces a structured verification process for all payroll recipients as part of broader efforts to eliminate ghost employees and improve the credibility of the government’s payroll system.
According to Rodgers, the exercise is designed to address longstanding concerns about the existence of ghost workers in the public service while generating credible evidence to support investigations and corrective action where irregularities are identified.
The verification process will require employees to confirm their identity and employment details through an online platform using a unique QR code printed on their payslips. The platform is scheduled to open on 15 June 2026 and will remain available for a period of two months.
Government departments have been instructed to provide assistance to employees who may require support in completing the verification process during the implementation period.
“Following this phase, identified anomalies will be subjected to further physical verification by departments,” Rodgers explained.
The MEC said the provincial treasury is ready to assist all KwaZulu-Natal government departments to ensure full compliance with the verification exercise.
Rodgers also urged public servants to participate fully, emphasizing that the process should not be viewed as an indication of wrongdoing but rather as a standard administrative measure to improve the integrity of government records.
“The reform will strengthen oversight, promote clean governance, and ensure that resources are directed towards service delivery priorities,” he said.
The initiative forms part of broader government efforts to improve accountability, eliminate wasteful expenditure, and enhance public confidence in the management of state resources.
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