The Mpumalanga Department of Education has commenced a physical verification exercise for all its employees, as part of a national initiative led by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) in partnership with the Education Labour Relations Council (ELRC). The process, conducted on Tuesday, 18 November, aims to strengthen accountability and ensure that every public servant in the education sector is properly recorded.

Employees from the Head Office reported for verification with their original Identity Documents, fulfilling the requirement to confirm their physical presence and employment status. The strong turnout reflected professionalism and a shared commitment to transparent governance.

According to the Department, the exercise is a vital step in maintaining a clean and accurate employee database. By confirming each official’s identity and employment details, the initiative helps improve payroll management and reduces the risk of salaries being paid to ghost employees.

The verification process also serves to curb potential fraud arising from outdated or incorrect personnel information, thereby safeguarding public funds and reinforcing confidence in the public service.

The Mpumalanga Department of Education expressed appreciation for the cooperation shown by its employees and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening human resource management, enhancing service delivery, and ensuring full accountability across the workforce.