Parliament to summon minister over R800m spent on suspended officials

By Levy Masiteng 

The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration says it will summon the Minister of Public Service and Administration to account for prolonged disciplinary cases that have cost the state an estimated R800 million annually in salaries paid to suspended officials.

Committee chairperson Jan de Villiers said Parliament would seek a detailed briefing on why disciplinary processes continue to exceed prescribed timeframes and what corrective measures are being implemented.

“We will request a full briefing on why disciplinary matters remain unresolved beyond prescribed timeframes and what corrective steps are being taken,” said De Villiers.

The intervention follows reports that more than 670 public servants remain on suspension with full pay, many of them beyond the 90-day period within which disciplinary processes are expected to be finalised.

“It not only places an additional burden on an already financially stretched state, but these prolonged suspensions point to serious weaknesses