For a full year, Teboho Maruping has been earning more than R1.4 million while on precautionary suspension from his position as Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) Commissioner.
The Department of Employment and Labour suspended Maruping in September 2024 regarding his alleged role in an unlawful R5 billion deal with Thuja Capital.
The department concluded evidence presentations in September 2025 and will hear final arguments on 12 October 2025.
UIF AND THUJA CAPITAL DEAL
The UIF awarded Thuja Capital a R5 billion contract in 2022, with the promise of creating over 25 000 jobs.
However, the deal came with a clause that the UIF will receive 19% of Thuja’s R5 billion stake.
This did not come without scrutiny, as some UIF officials raised red flags concerning the deal.
Thuja lacked records, physical offices, and a website.
Additionally, in 2024, the Pretoria High Court declared the deal invalid, confirming the concerns around its legitimacy.
TEBOHO MARUPING SUSPENSION
Following concerns, the department suspended Teboho Maruping for violating the Public Finance Management Act.
The department also suspended him for allegedly intimidating UIF officials who questioned the deal.
He allegedly failed to conduct proper due diligence.
According to the Democratic Alliance (DA), disciplinary proceedings have dragged on unnecessarily.
As a result, allowing Maruping to collect a full salary while effectively doing no work.
Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth confirmed in Parliament that Maruping was still being paid during his suspension.
DA CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AMID STALLED DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING
The DA has demanded answers from the minister.
Member of Parliament Michael Bagraim wants details on why the UIF disciplinary proceedings have taken so long.
He also requested Meth to identify who is responsible for authorising continued salary payments while members are suspended.
He also pressed the minister to explain what measures exist to prevent similar cases of wasteful expenditure.
A PATTERN OF PAY WITHOUT WORK
This is not the first time Teboho Maruping has remained on full pay while suspended.
Reports revealed he was previously suspended between 2020 and 2022 over the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 TERS funds with full benefits.
“By the time the current case concludes, he will have spent a quarter of his tenure suspended with benefits,” DA MP Michael Bagraim warned.
Maruping’s situation is not an isolated incident.
In August 2024, Minister of Public Service and Administration Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi launched an audit to determine the number of public officials receiving full pay while suspended.
Buthelezi estimated that the government spends at least R240 million on suspended public servants.
He stressed that government departments must track employees on paid special leave and ensure disciplinary proceedings move swiftly to protect public funds.
The Public Service Commission also stated that any paid suspension exceeding two months violates Public Service Administration regulations, unless formally extended by a disciplinary chairperson.
“For a country that is debt-burdened, we cannot afford a single individual sitting at home,” Buthelezi said.
