Kaya 959 Reporter
Public Service and Administration Minister Ayanda Dlodlo has revealed that more than 800 000 civil servants have racked up R14.3 billion in leave taken due to ill-health.
This was reportedly during the 19 months since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic began.
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Dlodlo said a total number of 881 152 employees had utilised normal sick leave and incapacity leave from March 2020 to October 2021.
“The total cost of the Public Service in respect of the normal sick leave and incapacity leave for the period in point amounts to R14 346 032 476,” she said.
Police spent R2.2-billion on more than 151,000 employees who took leave.
Higher education and training spent R109,240,434, with 9,805 workers on leave.
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Dlodlo provided a breakdown by province and national department as follows:
- In the Eastern Cape provincial administration, 61,133 employees took leave at a cost of R778,619,363;
- In the Free State, 44,132 workers at a cost of R581,716,125;
- In Gauteng 137,165 members at a cost of R1,723,825,933;
- In KwaZulu-Natal 117,580 employees at a cost of R1,647,791,837;
- In Limpopo 68,112 workers at a cost of R894,836,235;
- In Mpumalanga 35,855 members at a cost of R398,417,813;
- In the North West 39,435 employees at a cost of R441,439,119;
- In Northern Cape 15,330 workers at cost of R212,157,011; and
- In the Western Cape 66,620 members, costing of R830,571,532.
In terms of departments, the police took the most leave:
- Police spent R2,272,756,578, as 151 182 employees took leave;
- Water and sanitation spent R34,914,884, with 2,734 workers on leave;
- Justice and constitutional development spent R249,005,957, with 16,325 members on leave;
- Higher education and training spent R109,240,434, with 9,805 workers on leave.
- Correctional services spent R681,622,732, with 38,509 employees on leave;
