Question NW4188 to the Minister of Public Service and Administration
29 December 2023 - NW4188
Schreiber, Dr LA to ask the Minister of Public Service and Administration
(1)Whether it remains the policy position of the Government to ensure control of the levers of the state by appointing cadres from a particular political organisation (name furnished) over prioritising a professional Public Service; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether the Government plans to abolish the preference of deploying cadres in the Public Service over prioritising a professional public service; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Applicable to both questions one and two:
Government does not have and has never had a policy of cadre deployment. Employment in the public service operates on a merit-based recruitment and selection system, rendering the concept of cadre deployment inapplicable for filling positions. The Minister for the Public Service and Administration directs and guides departments in formulating norms and standards governing employment practices, ensuring strict adherence to a meritocratic framework and ethical recruitment practices.
The legislative and regulatory structure of the public service encompasses essential governance measures aimed at fostering a professional, ethical, competent, and merit-based state. These measures contain, but are not limited to:
- The Public Service Regulations (PSR), 2016, particularly sections 65 and 67, delineate the conditions for recruitment and selection in the public service. Under these regulations, the executive authority is obliged to publicly announce all vacancies within their department, setting forth guidelines and standards for recruitment and selection to promote a fair and open competition that attracts qualified candidates.
- The Public Service Act (PSA), 1994, requires adherence to sections 9 and 11(2) stipulating the necessity of merit-based recruitment.
- The Department of Public Service and Administration is consulting critical stakeholders on a draft directive to professionalise the public service. This draft directive outlines norms, standards, and ethical considerations in the employment management process.
The collective implementation of these processes and the comprehensive suite of services they represent, are instrumental in shaping a public service that is efficient, transparent and anchored in merit and ethical principles. Such a coordinated approach ensures the establishment of a capable and professional public service, which is crucial for effective governance and delivering high-quality services to the public. This synergy of regulations, standards, and directives reflects a robust commitment to excellence and integrity in appointments and administration across the Public Service.
End