Parliament, Friday, 27 March 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, Mr Jan de Villiers, today welcomed the firm and principled stance taken by the Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube, to confront and dismantle corrupt networks within the Department of Basic Education.
The Minister has requested that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) conduct lifestyle audits in the department, focusing on senior officials and officials working in high-risk areas, which are often used as entry points for corrupt activity. This comes as the committee this week expressed support for legislative reform that would empower the SIU to conduct lifestyle audits routinely and systematically across government departments, without relying on proclamations or invitations from the President or departments.
The committee notes the Minister’s commitment to ensuring that corruption does not continue to undermine the future of millions of South African learners. Efforts to expose and disrupt entrenched patronage, procurement abuse and irregular appointments are essential to restoring integrity and performance in one of the most critical sectors of government.
“A capable, ethical and professional public service is the cornerstone of a developmental state. Where corruption is allowed to take root, it diverts scarce resources away from service delivery, weakens institutional capacity and erodes public trust. In the education sector, the cost of this failure is borne most heavily by learners, whose opportunities are directly compromised,” said Mr de Villiers.
He reaffirmed the committee’s support for decisive interventions that strengthen accountability, enforce consequences for wrongdoing and protect those who act in the public interest. It is particularly important that officials committed to clean governance are empowered, and that attempts to resist reform through misinformation or internal obstruction are firmly addressed.
“The committee looks forward to the work of the Special Investigating Unit in conducting lifestyle audits within the Department of Basic Education without fear or favour,” said Mr de Villiers. “This move is critical to ensure that corrupt officials are exposed and that appropriate disciplinary action and criminal prosecutions can follow. As Chairperson, I reaffirm the committee’s commitment to robust oversight to ensure that reforms are implemented effectively across the public service and that departments operate in line with the constitutional principles of merit, fairness and transparency.”
The committee will continue to support all efforts across government to build a professional, merit-based, non-partisan and corruption-free public service that delivers for the people of South Africa.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION, MR JAN DE VILLIERS.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s media officer:
Name: Alicestine October (Ms)
Cell: 083 665 4345
E-mail: aoctober@parliament.gov.za
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