As the government prepares for the 2025/26 budget season, a renewed focus on cost savings through innovation is taking center stage across the Public Service, with a major push to digitize payslips for 1.2 million public servants.
The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) are leading the transition from traditional paper-based payslips to electronic payslips (ePayslips)—a move expected to deliver significant financial and environmental benefits.
The initiative, first piloted in 2015 across select national and provincial departments, has already demonstrated substantial savings. According to SITA’s 2016/17 annual report, early adopters of the Electronic Document Delivery (EDD) Service—including 20 national and 30 provincial departments—saved R30 million annually by reducing printing and distribution costs.
“The EDD Service not only cuts costs but also drives efficiency in document management while reducing the environmental impact of printing hundreds of tonnes of paper,” SITA reported.
Wider Adoption Accelerates Cost Reductions
As of January 2025, the EDD Service is operational in 123 out of 165 national and provincial departments. An additional 10 departments are in the implementation phase, while 3 others are in the process of contracting with SITA for the service.
Departments that have transitioned to ePayslips report 81.2% cost reductions in budget items related to printing, glue folding, and distribution, cutting expenses from an annual baseline of R50 million.
Beyond payslips, 110 departments are also using the EDD Service for other critical administrative processes, including the preparation and distribution of 2023/2024 Tax Year IRP5 documents.
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SITA’s Electronic Document Delivery (EDD) Service stands as a secure, cost-effective solution designed to manage large volumes of government documents seamlessly. This innovative platform streamlines document management by enabling users to upload and transmit files with ease. With robust online storage and archiving capabilities, it ensures that important records are preserved and readily accessible from any internet-connected device.
Beyond its operational efficiency, the EDD Service is built to comply with stringent government regulations and industry standards, offering organizations peace of mind in maintaining legal and regulatory adherence. The platform also features detailed tracking and reporting mechanisms, providing comprehensive oversight of document transmissions. By combining security, accessibility, and compliance, SITA’s EDD Service empowers government agencies to manage their documentation with unparalleled efficiency.
“By enabling public servants to access essential information online, we’re enhancing operational efficiency while ensuring the government meets compliance standards,” SITA stated.
