A senior civil servant has admitted he "made mistakes" after it was revealed he was contracted to work 183 hours each week while performing five separate government roles.
The reported contracted hours — 183 per week — exceed the total number of hours in a seven-day week, which is 168, raising immediate questions about how the duties were scheduled and managed.
The disclosure has highlighted practical and ethical issues around moonlighting, workload and oversight in the civil service. Holding multiple posts simultaneously can create potential conflicts of interest and strain systems designed to ensure public money is used appropriately, analysts say.
Officials have said the civil servant himself acknowledged errors in how the arrangements were handled. The admission has prompted calls for clarity on the contracts and for a review of how such appointments are authorised and monitored to prevent similar situations in future.
No further details about the specific roles, pay arrangements or the timeline for the contracts were provided in the initial report. Authorities are expected to set out more information as any review or formal processes proceed.