Mangosuthu University of Technology, MUT, ghost employees, ghost workers, steal, millions of rands, elaborate scam

Millions of rands were stolen from MUT by ghost employees through a detailed scam. Photo: Mangosuthu University of Technology / Facebook

Ghost employees take millions from Mangosuthu Uni through detailed scam

The Mangosuthu University of Technology was investigate and it turns out ghost employees ‘stole’ around R2.4 million.

Mangosuthu University of Technology, MUT, ghost employees, ghost workers, steal, millions of rands, elaborate scam

Millions of rands were stolen from MUT by ghost employees through a detailed scam. Photo: Mangosuthu University of Technology / Facebook

After numerous allegations were put against former Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) vice-chancellor Dr Duma Malaza, an independent assessor was appointed. Dr Malaza was subsequently suspended. Malaza was appointed in May 2018 and left MUT in January 2022. An investigation was soon conducted and ‘ghost employees’ were found.

Assessment reveals sneaky scam

However, Professor Anthony Staak continued with the assessment. The Cape Peninsula University of Technology’s vice-chancellor prepared a 96-page report. The report details a scam regarding ghost employees at MUT who stole millions of rands.

Staak was appointed by Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimade. Prof Staak worked alongside financial expert Bulelani Mahlangu. Mahlangu assisted Prof Staak with providing details of MUT’s finances.

What are ghost employees?

Speaking about ghost employees, Prof Staak stated that they are created by setting a duplicate employee profile up and manipulating banking details.

“The profile is deleted after the payroll has been processed. This matter was presented for further investigation and the recommendation was for MUT to first clean up the human resources data. The R2.4 million relates to only four instances/employee investigated, and as a result, there is a strong view that this is just the tip of the iceberg.”

Professor Anthony Staak

Malaza was not found to be part of the corruption

The report did, however, not find any evidence that could link Malaza or other suspended staff members to the corruption.

While Malaza was the head of the institution, management completed an investigation into alleged ghost employees. The probe uncovered irregular payments on the payroll system.

MUT will be appointing audit firm KPMG to probe the issue of ghost employees, reports IOL.

Prasa scammed by 3,000 ghost employees, salaries halted – Mbalula

Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula shared the news that the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) was a victim of a scam. Approximately 3,000 ghost workers were uncovered by Prasa.

The revelation came after Prasa went forward with an internal campaign. Mbalula stated that Prasa has Operation Ziveze which assisted in uncovering the thousands of ghost workers.

The Minister explained that the salaries that were being paid to the 3,000 ghost workers were stopped in 2021. He was briefing the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) with regards to issues the committee found. Read the full story here.