Question NW208 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
30 July 2019 - NW208
Cebekhulu, Inkosi RN to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans
What is the total (a) number of government employees in her department who are being paid whilst on undue and/or extended periods of sick leave and (b) cost to the Government in each case?
Reply:
(a) According to the Department of Defence policies on Leave of Absence; (i.e. DODI/PERS/18/2000 Edition No: 3A and DODI/POL&PLAN/00036/2001 Edition No 2) a member has 36 working days normal sick leave in a three-year cycle where after a member is entitled to temporary and permanent incapacity leave. The previous sick leave cycle started on 01 January 2016 and ended on 31 December 2018. A total of 5 290 DOD officials were on extended periods of sick leave over the period 01 January 2018 to 31 December 2018.
(b) The estimated cost of the extended sick leave for the reporting period is R123 110 000.