Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on the Appointment of National Public Service Commissioner, Dated 27 February 2014.03.04

1. Introduction

Parliament is obligated in terms of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 and the Public Service Commission Act (No. 46 of 1997), to recommend candidates for appointment as National Public Service Commissioners. The Constitution, Section 195 and 196 empowers the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration to appoint five Commissioners for the Public Service Commission (PSC). Each Commissioner should serve for a period of five-year renewable term in the PSC as stipulated in the Constitution. However terms of the Commissioners do not lapse simultaneously since they are appointed at different stages of each one’s term.

The Portfolio Committee appointed a multi-party Sub-Committee from its members to conduct the short-listing and interviews of applicants on the 05 February 2014. The Sub-Committee consisted of the following members: Hon. J.C. Moloi-Moropa (ANC), Hon. M Mohale (ANC), Hon. A Williams (ANC), Hon. E Nyekemba (ANC), Hon. D du Toit (DA) and Hon. C Msimang (IFP). The interviews were conducted by four Sub-Committee members Hon. J.C. Moloi-Moropa (ANC), Hon. M Mohale (ANC), Hon. D du Toit (DA) and Hon. C Msimang (IFP) whereby Hon A Williams was hospitalised.

2. Shortlisted and interview process

The advert calling for the interested candidates was published on the national newspapers on 15 December 2013 for the post of the PSC Commissioner. 196 applications responded to the advert to serve as the Commissioner for Public Service Commission. The Sub-Committee went through a rigorous process of screening all the candidates’ prior to short listing the most suitable ones. 130 candidates met the requirements according to the advert. 66 candidates were disqualified due to lack of experience and knowledge. The Sub-Committee considered knowledge of the public service, experience, race, gender, age and disabilities when short-listing. Most of the candidates who responded to the advert had a three-year diploma or degree but experience in the public service played a key role in this process, which is supported by section 196 (10).

As usual, the Sub-Committee members were offered administrative support by the Parliament support staff throughout the process. On the 14^th February 2014, the Sub-Committee set to do the short-listing of the suitable candidates based on their previous background knowledge and experience in the administration of the public service.

The following seven candidates were short listed as follows:

1. Mr Selemo Republic Monakedi

2. Mr Gcwelumusa Chrysostomus Khwela (declined)

3. Ms Elaine Moonsamy

4. Mr Godfrey Mokate

5. Mr Joseph Ledwaba

6. Ms Sellinah Sitane Nkos.

7. Ms Anneke Daleen Els

The Sub-Committee developed standard questions that were put to all candidates. The candidates were scored accordingly on a score-sheet that the Sub-Committee developed.

After consideration of the Sub-Committee’s report, the Portfolio Committee recommends the following candidate for appointment of one vacant post as National Public Service Commissioner:

1. Ms Sellinah Sitane Nkosi

In the event that the successful candidate is not available to serve on the National Public Service Commission, the Committee recommends that the following candidates be considered for appointment, in the order they appear below:

2. Mr Godfrey Mokate

3. Mr Joseph Ledwaba

4. Mr Selemo Republic Monakedi

5. Ms Elaine Moonsamy

6. Ms Anneke Daleen Els

3. Recommendations

The Sub-Committee recommends that the Portfolio Committee to:

· Endorse the transparent and impartial process undertaken by the Sub-Committee in the appointment of the Public Service Commission Commissioner;

· Endorse the appointment of PSC Commissioner report;

· Endorse the recommendation to appoint a successful candidate Ms Sellinah Sitane Nkosi to be debated in the National Assembly.

Report to be considered