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The Eastern Cape Health Department paid R345.3 million in over-time to 9 300 officials last year.
That's according to figures released by Public Service and Administration Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu in reply to a written question in the National Assembly.
Sisulu said in the same year, the Provincial Department of Transport paid just under R27,8 million in overtime to 879 employees, while the Education Department shelled out R6.7 million to 348 employees.
The minister said nationally, a total of R5.1 billion had been paid to 294 001 public servants in 2011/12, and R5.5 billion the following year.
She said the actual reasons for the overtime were not captured by the personnel salary system, adding that these were contained in the authorising documentation on departmental files.
Sisulu said written authorisation was required in advance of any overtime work.
