Government departments crack down on unexplained wealth of senior officials

Cape Town and Disability Advocates reach turning point in dial-a-ride talks

Matlala alleges IDAC plotted to dismantle KZN commissioner Mkhwanazi’s support base

Police reform will take years, warns Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia

A number of government departments told Parliament that they were finally cracking down on the unexplained wealth of senior officials, even targeting their spouses.

The departments have now reached out to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe non-disclosure as part of the government-wide implementation of lifestyle audits.

SIU secures preservation order to freeze KZN farm linked to R13m UIF fraud

SIU gets green light to sell Hangwani Maumela’s luxury Ferrari for at least R9.5m

Mabe failed in his attempt to stop the SIU from seizing his assets

Disciplinary proceedings have also been instituted against hundreds of senior management service (SMS) members for unauthorised private work and conflicts of interest.

The Public Service and Administration Committee meeting focused on national and provincial progress on lifestyle audits and the programme’s implementation.

The departments in the spotlight included the Department of Public Works, the Department of Water and Sanitation, the Department of Human Settlements, and the Department of Agriculture.

The departments said the audits included looking into employee background data from the Deeds Office, the electronic National Traffic Information System (eNaTIS), as well as the company register.

Water and Sanitation Deputy Director-General (DDG) and designated “ethics champion” Nthabiseng Fundakubi said the audits also investigated the spending patterns of spouses.

Fundakubi said: “It means we need to get into the banking details of spouses because one would have the assets and they have shared them with their spouses.”

Fundakubi said the 168 officials who failed to disclose in the previous year and the current year had been subjected to disciplinary action.

Never miss a major story. Get breaking news and the latest developments from South Africa and beyond as they happen.

Take a look at the topic timeline for all related articles.

4 hours ago5 hours ago5 hours ago6 hours ago6 hours ago7 hours ago7 hours ago8 hours ago8 hours ago8 hours ago10 hours agoMore in Politics11 November 2026 13:46

Police reform will take years, warns Acting Minister Firoz Cachalia

Ramaphosa inherited struggling party, says ANC Youth League

Time to hit reset button on ANC? Ramaphosa resignation would be the right thing, says Mbeki