Government officials and directors who show off their lavish lifestyles will now have to account for every cent they earn. Minister of Public Service and Administration Ayanda Dlodlo said lifestyle audits will now be intensified as a move to root out corruption.
The Minister gave a brief to the media after the post-Sona government cluster briefings on Monday. Dlodlo further explained that to root out corruption in the public sector, lifestyle audits would have to be intensified. The introduction of Lifestyle audits which came into effect in April last year has been implemented and is compulsory.
The Minister said the lifestyle audits is aimed at rooting out corruption by targeting those who wear expensive clothing brands and living beyond their means. Public servants will have to disclose how much they earn and what they have. If they life beyond their means, an investigation will be initiated. The investigation will have to reveal where the money is coming from.
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Dlodlo says the target should be on people who hold senior positions, who have wealth that cannot be explained. The Minister said the department is working on the protection of whistle-blowers.
It has been nearly a year since the conducting of lifestyle audits commenced but there have been no significant strides made with cabinet ministers and their deputies, said Ayanda Dlodlo. The lifestyle audits which are said to be in full swing will have to be judged on the achievements they bring forward. To date, there have been no reports on cabinet ministers, or their deputies being held liable for living beyond their means.
Source: Eyewitness News, Devdiscourse, Business Day and image from Devdiscourse
