Sick leave

MORE than 800 000 civil servants have racked up R14.3 billion in leave taken due to ill-health and incapacity in a period spanning 19 months since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, said Public Service and Administration Minister Ayanda Dlodlo, responding to parliamentary questions from the DA.

“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,” said Dlodlo. The costs and the total number of civil servants who took the leave exclude members of the Department of Defence and State Security Agency.