Ghost staff haunt Saps

PROBE ORDERED: OPERATING LIKE ORGANISED CRIMINAL SYNDICATES - PARLY

- Enkosi Selane

Parliament has demanded an immediate audit of suspected ghost employees within the South African Police Service (Saps) crime intelligence division after seven senior officials were arrested on corruption charges in June and July.

Jan Naudé de Villiers, chair of the portfolio committee on public service and administration, recently submitted a formal request to Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, calling for an independent investigation into payroll fraud and the possible existence of nonexistent workers drawing salaries from Saps.

The parliamentary intervention follows the arrest of high-ranking officials who appeared before the Pretoria Regional Court on fraud and corruption charges related to appointing an unqualified civilian to a senior position.

De Villiers stated that between June and July, authorities arrested seven senior crime intelligence officials responsible for financial oversight, personnel management and internal controls.

According to the chair, the arrested officials include Lieutenant-General Dumisani Khumalo, the divisional commissioner, and Major-General Philani Lushaba, who served as chief financial officer.