Question NW2745 to the Minister in the Presidency
18 November 2022 - NW2745
Gondwe, Dr M to ask the Minister in the Presidency
(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:
The role of Head of Public Administration was factor into the contract of the current Director-General in the Presidency and Secretary of the Cabinet, Ms Phindile Baleni, who was assumed this role on 01 April 2021. However, for this function to be performed optimally, legislative ammendments are required. As such, in April 2021, the Ministry of Public Service and Administration released the Public Service Amendment Bill. This Bill seeks to amend Section 7 of the Public Act of 1994 to align to the proposal of the National Development Plan (NDP) by providing additional functional responsibilities and powers to the Director-General in the Presidency, among other proposed ammendments. The Bill is still being consulted in the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC). After that process, it will be resubmitted to Cabinet and Parliament for final public consultations using the normal legislative review processes.
The policy proposal on extending the term of office of the Heads of Departments and Directors General is not yet approved by Cabinet. It may as well form part of the legislative reforms that could be incorporated into the Public Service Ammendment Bill since such tenure is prescribed in the Public Service Act, 1994.
NW3326E
Thank You.