Question NW2744 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
21 September 2022 - NW2744
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(a) By what date does he envisage will a Head of Administration for the Public Service be appointed to manage the career incidents of (i) Heads of Department (HODs) and (ii) Directors-General (DGs) and (b) will the specified appointment be done before and/or after the coming into effect of the policy proposal to increase the term of office for HODs and DGs from the existing 5 years to 10 years, subject to performance?
Reply:
(a) & (b) (i) (ii) The role of a Head of the Public Service is provided for in legislative amendments to the Public Service Act, 1994. The draft Public Service Amendment Bill envisages this role to be undertaken by the Director-General in the Presidency to, amongst others, support the President in managing the appointment and career incidents of national heads of department. The processing of the Public Service Amendment Bill is underway and it is anticipated that the Bill will be submitted to Parliament in the 2022/2023 financial year. As an interim measure, the Director-General in the Presidency has already been tasked with this role and support in this regard has been provided for in the Presidency. The matter related to tenure is still subject to consultation. The research and the policy development to inform the tenure of heads of department is still underway as part of the project on the professionalization of the Public Service. Once completed, the necessary amendments will be factored in the further amendment to the Public Service Act.
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