DPWI turnaround strategy, vacancies, ghost employees, and progress on lifestyle audits to strengthen institutional effectiveness; with Ministry

Video The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure met virtually, with the Minister and Deputy Minister in attendance. The Chairperson raised concerns about the late submission of departmental reports, noting that this had resulted in the deferral of items relating to the Strategic and Special Delivery Unit (SSDU) and the updated organogram of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and the Property Management Trading Entity (PMTE). She stressed that timely submission was necessary to enable Members and Committee support staff to prepare adequately for oversight. The Committee considered and adopted its third term programme, with an amendment to include a progress update on the Department's legislative amendments. Members also discussed the scheduled briefing on the underutilisation of telecommunications towers and other state-owned buildings and the outstanding forensic report on the matter. It was agreed that the operational aspects of tower utilisation and private leases could proceed virtually, while the forensic report would be considered separately once the necessary legal and investigative processes had been completed. The substantive briefings covered three areas: progress in filling senior management and strategic vacancies across the DPWI and PMTE; the ongoing investigation into “ghost employees”; and progress on employee lifestyle audits conducted in partnership with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). On vacancies, the Department reported a vacancy rate of approximately 18%, compared with the 10–11% typical of other departments, and outlined recruitment constraints including cost-containment measures, difficulty competing with private-sector salaries for scarce technical skills, and delays linked to competency assessments and probity audits. Members raised concerns about the pace of appointments relative to attrition, the implementation of an early retirement programme alongside active recruitment, and whether organisational restructuring should precede recruitment. Regarding ghost employees, the Department reported that 43 cases had initially been identified for verification, of which two had been explained, while 41 remained under investigation. The estimated financial exposure associated with the cases was approximately R14.7 million. Members raised concerns about weaknesses in the Personnel and Salary System (PERSAL), reliance on supervisors to report employee departures, recovery of overpayments, consequence management and the need for stronger automated controls. The Department outlined measures to strengthen payroll verification, including biometric verification, data analytics and the development of an integrated human resource management system. On lifestyle audits, the Department reported on the completion of audits covering senior managers and officials in high-risk functional areas, as well as the ongoing implementation of further phases. Members requested more detailed information on non-compliance, disciplinary and criminal referrals, and the recovery of assets or funds arising from the audits. The Department undertook to provide a written breakdown of officials covered by the relevant phase without disclosing individual identities. The meeting also included an extended discussion concerning the transfer of the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to a Deputy Director-General (DDG) position and broader concerns regarding communication and coordination between the Minister, Deputy Minister and departmental executive management. The Deputy Minister raised concerns about administrative processes, recruitment authority and the working environment within the Department and offered to provide a written submission. The Minister maintained that the transfer had been voluntary and processed in accordance with the applicable procedures. The Chairperson concluded that the Committee would examine the Department's internal reporting and communication arrangements, including its monthly executive management meetings, and would request the relevant records. She also indicated that the Committee would engage the Minister and Deputy Minister on the matters raised and monitor compliance with the relevant provisions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).