The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has refuted claims that it has been paying non-existing employees for more than six months.

 Over the weekend, a widely spread email made it to social media with claims that the SABC has about 20 "ghost workers" on its payroll.

The SABC Group Executive for News and Current Affairs, the SABC News Head of Output, and the SABC News Channel Head are, according to the report, implicated for being part of the alleged hiring and paying of the ghost workers. However, the public broadcaster said it has launched an investigation into irregular freelance contracts at the company. "In this regard, the corporation would like to set the record straight on this matter and confirm that the SABC Group Executive for News and Current Affairs, Moshoeshoe Monare, has launched an extensive investigation into freelance contracts that turned out to be irregular, corrupt and fraudulent," said the SABC in a statement. The SABC also confirmed that one of the managers under investigation has since resigned with immediate effect. "Other staff members are facing disciplinary processes. The matter is addressed within the SABC's human resources policies and will also be referred to the other relevant authorities for further investigation," the statement said.

Monare, who is among those implicated in the scandal, said they have since uncovered three unaccounted-for workers who have been receiving payment for the past six months. "All irregular or fraudulent contracts are being terminated with immediate effect, and other cases are being forwarded to the relevant police divisions. We outlined the process. The level of investigation has caused people to resign. I launched the investigation two weeks ago," he said. The SABC urged the public to refrain from continuing with the distribution of emails that contain unverified information.