The information that nine of the provincial departments have at least 21 employees who are suspended with full pay, was made known by the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Thulas Nxesi, in a written reply to the Member of Parliament, Mimmy Gondwe.

She had asked for a breakdown of the number of public servants who are currently on suspension with full pay within national and provincial departments. Nationally, the total amount that is being spent on the salaries in question is R130 964 676 for 305 employees who are currently on suspension with full pay.

Provincial departments in South Africa account for the bulk of this salary bill, having paid R90,7 million in salaries to 226 employees. National departments have paid R40 million in salaries to 79 suspended, full-paid employees, with the Departments of Public Service and Administration and Public Works and Infrastructure accounting for the bulk of this R40 million salary bill. 

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In the province, the department that has spent the most money on salaries for the three employees who are currently on suspension, is the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, with nearly R 2,7 million. The departmental spokesperson, Zimasa Leputla, says the information is correct, however, one of the suspended employees has been dismissed on account of misconduct. The disciplinary hearings for the other two employees are in process.

The second department that has spent nearly R2,4 million is Human Settlements, also with three employees, of whom one happens to be a senior manager. The written reply further reveals that the Department of Health has the highest number of employees suspended with full pay, with seven employees and their salaries have cost the department R805 249.

Public Works & Infrastructure has spent R145 488 on two suspended employees. The Department of Education has one suspended employee, who costs the department a salary of R187 886. Provincial Treasury has one suspended employee, who costs the department a salary of R48 088.  

Social Development has two suspended employees, one of whom holds a senior position and their salaries cost R41 872. The department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Destea) also has two suspended employees, one of whom holds a senior position and their salaries costs R12 552.

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The departments who do not currently have suspended employees with full pay are Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), the Office of the Premier, the department of Police, Roads and Transport, and the department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation. 

The spokesperson of the Free State Premier, Palesa Chubisi, says the Office of the Premier would not necessarily dispute or agree with the numbers provided by the Minister because they constantly change. She adds that a significant number of the above-mentioned suspensions have been terminated and progress is being made with the disciplinary processes, but due to the obligation on the employer to comply with the Rules of Natural Justice as well as the Disciplinary Code and Procedures, it is not a process that can be disposed of without observing these rules and it, unfortunately, entails lengthy procedures.

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