The Citizen reports that the Presidency identified 24 public servants suspected of undeclared income, hidden assets and living beyond their means during lifestyle audits in the 2025 reporting cycle.

This was advised by Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) Minister Mzamo Buthelezi in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Buthelezi said the department developed and implemented a lifestyle audit framework in alignment with a directive from President. He explained that an integrated lifestyle audit system had been introduced, leveraging existing digital platforms for cross-verification of financial disclosures. Data submitted by public servants was compared with third-party sources such as companies, the Intellectual Property Commission, and the Deeds Office to identify potential unexplained wealth and conflicts of interest.

But, Rise Mzansi MP Makashule Gana questioned that only 24 public servants had been identified and expressed skepticism about the real situation when many public servants lived beyond their means. He asked what triggered a lifestyle audit and whether it was only on senior managers or if it also included junior employees. Buthelezi clarified that the system focused on senior management due to their potential to commit fraud and corruption, but acknowledged that junior employees might also be involved. He indicated that the goal was to ensure that those found corrupt were prosecuted and received appropriate sentences.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Chulumanco Mahamba at The Citizen

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