Public Service and Administration Mzamo Buthelezi said a total of 8 982 senior management service members were subjected to lifestyle audits, ending with the lifestyle review process.
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The number of senior managers in public service that are currently under investigation after the conclusion of lifestyle audits stands at 22 this January.
The number is down from the 54 that was recorded last year during the same period.
This was revealed by Public Service and Administration minister Mzamo Buthelezi when he was responding to Freedom Front Plus MP Heloise Denner.
Buthelezi had revealed in March that 117 officials were flagged for potential financial disclosure anomalies and the investigations were at different stages within their respective departments.
Denner noted ongoing concerns regarding corruption and unexplained wealth in the public service.
She asked the extent to which lifestyle audits have been systematically implemented for members of the senior management service across all government departments and whether departments were required to publish regular and consolidated reports on the outcomes of lifestyle audits, among other things.
In response, Buthelezi said lifestyle audits were a decentralised process, and departments were responsible for implementation.
“The Department of Public Service and Administration developed a guide to implement lifestyle audits in the public service to assist departments, as well as conducted several technical assistance sessions to create capability regarding lifestyle reviews and lifestyle investigations.”
He said 37 national departments out of 40 and 99 out of 111 provincial departments reported that they have performed lifestyle audits or were in the process of finalising it as at January 2025.
“A total of 8 982 senior management service members were subjected to lifestyle audits, ending with the lifestyle review process.
“Out of this number, 117 cases were referred for lifestyle investigations. Of the 117 cases, 51 were from national departments and 66 from provincial departments.”
Buthelezi also said 22 cases were still being investigated, 25 earmarked to be investigated by external service providers, seven not found guilty and 52 cases were resolved and written warnings, sanctions and verbal warnings issued.
In January last year, 35 national departments and 98 provincial departments had reported that they had performed lifestyle audits.
During the period, 7,856 members of the senior management service members were subjected to lifestyle audits, ending with the finalisation of lifestyle reviews.
“Out of this number, 157 cases were referred for lifestyle investigations. Of the 157 cases, 58 were recorded by national departments, 60 by provincial departments and one by a government component.”
Buthelezi explained that lifestyle audits have not been extended to include the financial interests of close relatives of the public servants as it was not required in terms of the existing Public Service Regulations.
“However, under the Public Administration Management Amendment Act, 2025, public servants will be required to declare the financial interests of close relatives.”
The minister said departments were expected to annually conduct lifestyle audits on senior management service members, and every second year on non-senior management service members.
“The DPSA is currently drafting Standard Operating Procedures to guide departmental investigations in a standardised manner.”
Buthelezi further said departments are not required by legislation to publish regular, consolidated reports on the outcomes of lifestyle audits.
“The outcomes of the lifestyle audits process are reported to the DPSA by departments. The DPSA produces an annual consolidated report on the outcomes of the lifestyle audits which is presented to Parliament’s portfolio committee,” he said.
mayibongwe.maqhina@inl.co.za