In a statement, the department said public servants were required to disclose their financial interests annually by April 30, and that it had asked the relevant departments to investigate and take disciplinary action against those who failed to comply.

The regulations compel department heads to submit the disclosed financial interests to the Public Service Commission, which then determines whether there is potential or actual conflict of interest.

"The number of government employees found to be doing business with the state and those who failed to disclose their financial interests is concerning," the public service department said on Friday.

"This situation must be dealt with as the (government) has committed itself to fighting corruption and maladministration."

It said it would ensure that criminal charges were laid with the police against offenders in order to "put an end to the culture of pillaging our state resources with impunity".

South Africa had to make a shift towards observing ethics and combating corruption, both in the public and private sectors, the department said, adding that corruption remained a major contributor to economic decline.

Critics say despite initial optimism that President Cyril Ramaphosa, a respected former businessman, would act swiftly and decisively against corruption within the government, little has been done to bring to account those implicated of graft during his predecessor Jacob Zuma's nearly 10 years in power.

Zuma has repeatedly denied accusations of corruption levelled against him.

African News Agency (ANA)