Question NW1744 to the MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION
25 May 2022 - NW1744
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION
What measures did his department put in place to ensure that there is transparency in the entire recruitment and appointment process for heads of departments?
Reply:
The prescripts and accompanying norms and standards issued by the MPSA remain the mechanisms established to ensure that recruitment and selection is fair, transparent and are in line with Section 195 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
Section 12 of the Public Service Act, 1994 provides for the appointment of Head of Department which gives the President such power at National Government and the Premier such power within the relevant province.
The Minister for the Public Service and Administration (MPSA) issued the Executive Protocol: Principles and Procedures for the Employment of Heads of Department (HoDs) and Deputy Directors-General (DDGs) Nationally. This was to support the President and Ministers with regard to HoD posts (recruitment, selection, appointment and other career incidents) at National Government.
The Department of Public Service and Administration provides support to the MPSA regarding the processing of Cabinet Memoranda on appointments of Heads of Department to Cabinet. The process of quality checking aims to ensure that the relevant prescripts (Public Service Act, 1994, Public Service Regulations, 2016 and relevant Directives, Determinations, Guides as issued) were followed. In the event that prescripts were not followed, such Cabinet Memoranda are referred back to the relevant delegated Minister with regard to the filling of a Head of Department post and do not serve before Cabinet until issues of concern are resolved.
If the issue of noncompliance impacting the fairness and transparency of the process, are not addressed, the relevant Executive Authority would be advised to re-advise the post and ensure compliance with relevant prescripts and prescribed policies.
The Minister for the Public Service and Administration has also issued a capacitation guide to all Premiers regarding the recruitment of Heads of Department and the required processes to follow. The Premier of the relevant province is the relevant Executive Authority for purposes of such appointments.
End