Public Service Commission Annual Report; Verification of Qualifications; Report on State of Public Service; Citizen Forum for Se

Meeting report

PUBLIC SERVICE & ADMINISTRATION PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
7 November 2001
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT;VERIFICATION OF QUALIFICATIONS;REPORT ON STATE OF PUBLIC SERVICE;CITIZEN FORUM FOR SERVICE DELIVERY IMPROVEMENT: BRIEFING

Chairperson: Mr J Gomomo

Documents handed out
Public Service Commission Annual Report
Report on the State of the Public Service
Verification of Qualifications of Senior Managers in the Public Service
Citizen Forum for Service Delivery

SUMMARY
The Public Service Commission presented its Annual Report and its findings on the verification of qualifications of senior managers in the Public Service.

The report on the state of the Public Service and on the Citizen Forum for service delivery improvement was discussed.

MINUTES
Dr Richard Levin, Deputy Director General of the Public Service Commission made three presentations on the State of the Public Service, Citizen Forum for service delivery improvement and the Annual report of the Public Service Commission. Ms Odette Ramsingh, Deputy Director General: Human Resources & Grievances reported on the verification of qualification for Senior Managers in the Public Service.

Please refer to attached documents.

Discussion
Citizen forum for service delivery improvement
Mr M Moss (ANC) commented on the citizen forum and said he was impressed that the Commission had applied its mind on the concept of citizen jury. How was this to be structured and what would the involvement of the Portfolio Committee, the Provincial Governments and the Local Governments. The process was very impressive in that the Commission came with the publication of the recommendations but he inquired what will be done in terms of the oversight role? He felt he needed more elaboration on the proposed study tour to the UK and India.

Ms B Mbulawa-Hans (ANC) asked about community involvement in the service as it seems as if people are not using this service.

Ms C September ( ANC) said they should focus on risk areas and they have from the outset stated that the Chairperson should link with the Presidency around unintended consequences for Local Government. Surveys should be used with caution as they were not popular as revealed during the census.

Dr Levin noted the comments but stated that the main problem with participation is technique and there has to be a channel for the people’s voice to be heard.

One of the questions asked is why were they moving away from the jury system.

Dr Levin stated that the Portfolio Committee is in a better position to deal with this issue rather than the Public Service Commission. Their immediate task is to market the concept. They have the project plan but with no dates.

Mr B Mthembu (ANC) seconded the motion that the three Provinces be taken as a pilot study.

Mr Moss suggested that a tour to other countries should be undertaken after gaining local experience.

Dr Levin replied if the process can start in the beginning of March next year that would be more appropriate for the Commission. They have selected the three departments because of their massive delivery of service and the level of public concern about them. He endorsed the proposal that they start with local experience and if there is consensus around March then they will be able to start operations.

Report on the verification of qualifications
A question was asked about the mechanism the Commission has used in the verification process.

Ms September commented that she does not see the Western Cape anywhere in the report but pleaded for exemption because of the present crisis. She further submitted that they discuss a citizen forum but stated that the bulk of the citizenry cannot communicate with the institutions. She gave an example of people when they phone Parliament are met with an answering machine replies.

Ms Mbulawa-Hans enquired if higher qualifications of the senior managers are job related.

Mr Job ( ANC) appreciated the work done by the Commission but was concerned about foreign qualifications and asked if they are tested against the South African Qualifications.

Ms Ramsingh said they have a mechanism in place and she mentioned Section 10 of the Public Service Act which they can use if they do not get compliance. The exercise they have embarked on is very authentic, they developed a questionnaire that was well researched and sent to Heads of Departments and Universities for confirmation and teams were sent to Campuses to assist with the verification process.
In terms of qualification they looked in the skills profile and how to improve competency.
With foreign qualifications the same process is followed.

Mr Job said institutions produce a number of graduates and they must ensure that these graduates are taken on board to the Public Service.

Ms Ramsingh said they have a system in place through the Persal, which can verify qualifications before any appointment is made.

Public Service Commission Annual Report
Mr Job asked how are the State Anti-Corruption agencies coordinated and wanted further elaboration on the complete impartiality of the Public Service taking into account the past imbalances.

Ms September enquired about representativity in the Public Service.

Mr Job said she must take into account what happened in Cape Town Municipality when the DA took over and fired Civil Servants whom they thought were political appointees.

Mr Walters (DP) countered by saying that also happened in the Nelson Mandela Metropole where 166 Civil Servants were fired in the same guise.

Dr Levin said co-ordination is addressed in Section 31 of the Act. On the issue of impartiality he said the State could not be neutral in implementing its values.

The meeting was adjourned.