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 in discipline management and consequence management,” De Villiers said.
He added that the delays raise wider governance concerns.
“These prolonged suspensions raise questions about governance, enforcement and the public service’s capacity to manage its disciplinary system.”
The committee also flagged the matter as part of broader pressures on the public sector wage bill.
“Whether it is ghost workers, prolonged suspensions with full pay or unresolved disciplinary cases, these are systemic weaknesses with a real-life impact as much-needed funds are diverted from critical services,” said De Villiers.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also criticised the situation, calling it a failure of accountability within the state.
“The South African government spends approximately R800 million annually paying suspended public servants who remain at home for years while disciplinary processes collapse under corruption, political interference, and administrative incompetence,” the party said.
The EFF said 674 officials are currently suspended, with more than 500 exceeding the 90-day limit. It pointed to cases where individuals allegedly received millions while on suspension, including a deputy director who reportedly earned over R5 million since 2018 despite being found guilty of misconduct.
It also cited the case of Nelson Mandela Bay City Manager Noxolo Nqwazi, who the party said has cost taxpayers about R5.8 million during an almost three-year suspension.
The party further raised concerns about additional costs linked to acting appointments.
“South Africans are not only paying suspended officials to stay at home, but are also paying extra for the people temporarily occupying their positions,” it said.
While raising concerns over delays, the committee stressed that suspensions are intended as precautionary measures with full pay, pending the outcome of investigations within reasonable timeframes.
“Public servants must be protected from unfair processes, but the state must also ensure that misconduct is dealt with decisively and that public funds are not wasted through avoidable administrative failures,” said De Villiers.
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