Public Service and Administration Minister, Chief Mzamo Buthelezi, says there will be serious repercussions for those found to be ghost workers in government departments.

Buthelezi says at the moment, the department is busy compiling a comprehensive report to determine the financial costs of ghost employees.

The investigation is conducted with the National Treasury and the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

Last month, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana highlighted the financial implications of ghost and suspended employees during the budget’s tabling.

Minister Buthelezi says once the report is finalised, they will deal with perpetrators.

“We are working very closely. We issued a circular, in fact, to all departments, first and foremost, and also we’re working very closely with National Treasury and also with SARS. So, once our endeavour has been completed, we’ll then compile a report together with them, having verified all the information that has been provided. And then we will come to account to the public of South Africa and also as to how, if indeed, there are some shenanigans that have been discovered, how do we deal with those that are involved in terms of consequence management.”

VIDEO | Ghost workers use fake identities created on the payroll system: