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President Cyril Ramaphosa says his government is working on a major policy document that aims to root out corruption among public service officials.
Writing in his weekly open letter to the public on Monday (March 1), Ramaphosa said that the draft National Implementation Framework for the Professionalization of the Public Service aims to build a state that better serves citizens, that is insulated from interference. improper policies and where appointments are made on merit.
The framework was approved by Cabinet in November 2020 and structured consultations are now taking place with various sectors of society, he said.
“With twenty-seven years of democracy, it can be said of the public service that, although there are several centers of excellence, we have serious challenges in many government departments in terms of skills, competence and professionalism.
“Too often, people have been hired and promoted to key positions for which they are neither fit nor qualified,” he said.
“This affects government performance, but it also contributes to nepotism, political interference in the work of departments, lack of accountability, mismanagement and corruption.”
Ramaphosa said there is also the related problem of political and executive interference in the administration of the public service.
“You only need to look at instability in government departments when senior managers are exchanged or replaced every time a new minister is appointed.”
The president said that provincial directors general and department heads are particularly affected.
In some departments, DGs, HoDs and CEOs have had tenure stability, allowing departments to function with few interruptions.
“In most of these departments where there is leadership stability, audit results tend to be positive and public funds can be accounted for. Where there is a high turnover of department heads, there is often administrative confusion. “
Some of the proposals contained in the policy include:
- Extend the mandate of department heads based on merit and performance;
- Conduct occupation-based competency assessments;
- Involve the Civil Service Commission in the interviews of General Directors and Deputy General Directors;
- Introducing integrity tests for all shortlisted individuals will help us recruit public officials who can serve honestly;
- Mandatory entrance exams;
- Continuous learning and a clear path of professional development for each public servant;
- Training of accountants from all levels of government on the applicable legislative provisions.
“The public service is diverse, with a wide range of skills, qualifications and capabilities. Many public servants have specialized skills that are necessary for effective service delivery, ”Ramaphosa said.
“So it is not necessarily the case that we need a smaller public service: what we really need is an adequate public service with the right skills, a professional ethic and a commitment to service to the people.
“The men and women of the public service must be trained to play their role in promoting development and consolidating democracy. This is our best guarantee of a capable state that serves the interests of the citizens. “
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