Eastern Cape teacher earned salary for 18 years without teaching a single day

The Eastern Cape Department of Education is facing a massive administrative scandal following revelations that a teacher has been paid for 18 years without working. Nontsikelelo Ngumbela has reportedly collected her government salary every month for nearly two decades without ever entering a classroom.

This shocking discovery surfaced during cross-examination in a regional court case involving a separate legal dispute. When confronted with her employment records, Ngumbela did not deny receiving the funds but offered a specific explanation for her status.

Displaced or Dishonest?

In court, Ngumbela rejected the term 'ghost employee,' arguing instead that she is a 'displaced teacher' who remains formally recognized by the state. Her legal opponents, however, described the situation as 'appalling,' suggesting she intentionally hid her status to keep drawing a paycheck for zero labor.

The controversy deepens regarding her age, as Ngumbela is currently 64 years old. Under South African law, public school educators are required to retire at 60, meaning she has allegedly been paid for four years past the legal limit.

A Cold Trail for Investigators

The Eastern Cape Department of Education has confirmed that Ngumbela is still on the active payroll. Spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima stated that the department is now conducting an internal probe to find the person who originally authorized this arrangement 18 years ago.

The search for answers is proving difficult because almost all the leadership figures from that era have already retired. Officials are also struggling to navigate a messy administrative trail caused by multiple entity transfers and staff deployment changes over the years.

As the investigation continues, the department is attempting to track down former officials for interviews. The case highlights significant gaps in the province's payroll management and oversight systems.