Question NW94 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
05 November 2020 - NW94
Clarke, Ms M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
Whether his department has specified criteria or policies in place with regard to the number of officials employed in the Public Service who should attend committee meetings in the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa; if not, (a) why not and (b) what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details and (ii) has he found that the specified criteria has proven cost effective in respect of the outcomes achieved with regard to effective accountability?
Reply:
(a) Yes, the Department of Public Service and administration has specified criteria in place regarding the number of officials who should attend the committee meetings in the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa.
(b)(i) The criteria for attending committee meetings in Parliament is included in the departmental Travel Policy which states the following “The number of employees attending official engagement on the same matter must be limited to 3 employees from the department. If the number exceeds 3, approval must be obtained from the Accounting Officer. The Accounting Officer, Deputy Directors-General or employees holding an equivalent rank, Ministerial advisors appointed in terms of section 12A of the Public Service Act and other EXCO members reporting directly to the Accounting Officer, people performing Parliamentary duty and the Chairperson and Secretary to the Public Service Remuneration Review Commission (PSSRS) do not contribute to the three (3) employees mentioned above.”
END