Millions were reportedly paid to people no longer employed by the department. Some R114m in irregular salary payments were made to people who had retired, resigned, or passed away. The findings, disclosed by the auditor-general’s office, highlight serious weaknesses in internal controls, financial oversight, and consequence management.

North West education superintendent general Lengane Bogatsu acknowledged the issue and linked it directly to system inefficiencies. “(The) department has 35,000 employees, and 28,000 are school-based educators.

“In terms of what has been detected and in terms of what we are now dealing with together with the auditor-general, yes, indeed, that amount has been paid off, and this thing is in terms of a system that is generating when people resign and when people pass away and also when people are terminating.”

The payroll system continues to generate payments even after employees exit the system, pointing to a need for improved integration between administrative processes and payroll controls, he said.

Bogatsu attributed some of the problems to logistical and geographical challenges, particularly in rural areas. School principals, he said, often face delays in submitting resignation documentation to district offices, which can result in salary payments being processed before updates are captured.

The auditor-general raised these concerns during engagements with the department as part of the 2023/24 audit findings, said Bogatsu, adding the issue has been under review since he assumed office last year. The R114m does not relate to a single financial year but has accumulated over time, dating back to 2022, he said.

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OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm