ATC150831: Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration as well as Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation on the Appoinment of National Public Service Commissioner, dated 28 August 2015

Public Service and Administration

(The following report replaces the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration as well as Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, which was published on page 3117 of the Announcement, Tablings and Committee Reports of 17 August 2015)

 

REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SERVICE AND ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS PLANNING, MONITORING AND EVALUATION ON THE APPOINMENT OF NATIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER, DATED 28 AUGUST 2015

 

  1. Introduction

 

The Public Service is an independent institution established in terms of Chapter 10 of the Constitution. It derives its mandate from section 195 and 196 of the Constitution, 1996 which sets out the values and principles governing public administration. The Constitution stipulates that there is single PSC for the Republic of South Africa, consisting of 14 members.

 

Therefore, 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 as well as Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation 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. Appointing Commissioners at various stages assist the PSC in ensuring stability in the organization particularly if a term of a Commissioner come to an end means one must play dual role serving as caretaker for the post.

 

The Portfolio Committee appointed a multi-party Sub-Committee from its members to conduct the short-listing and interviews of applicants in November 2015. The Sub-Committee consisted of the following members: Hon. BP Mabe (ANC), Hon. RMM Lesoma (ANC), Hon. MLD Ntombela (ANC), Hon. AP Van der Westhuizen (DA) and Hon. V Mente (EFF). As usual, the Sub-Committee members were assisted by the Parliament support staff throughout the process.

  1. Shortlisted and interview process

 

The advert calling for the interested candidates was published on the national newspapers on 22 October 2014 for the post of the PSC Commissioner. Two hundred (200) applicants responded to the advert to contest 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. Ninety nine (99) candidates met the requirements according to the advert. Hundred and one (101) candidates were disqualified due to lack of experience and knowledge. The Sub-Committee received 1 late application and the candidate was disqualified. The Sub-Committee considered knowledge of the public service, experience, race, gender, age and disabilities when short-listing. Six (6)   candidates were short listed, out of those were 3 females and 3 males. Only 1 candidate withdrew in writing for the invitation of the interview.

 

Most of the candidates who responded to the advert had a three-year diploma/degree, Master degree and PHD degree but experience in the public service played a key role in this process, which is supported by section 196 (10). The Sub-Committee short-listed suitable candidates based on their previous background knowledge and experience in the administration of the public service.

 

The following seven candidates were short listed are as follows:

  1. Prof Sesh Paruk
  2. Ms Prudence Esther Gwala-Mahaya (withdrew)
  3. Ms Xolisa Hloma
  4. Prof Patrick FitzGerald
  5. Dr Tholumuzi Bruno Luthuli
  6. Mr Ben Mkhonto Mthembu

 

The Sub-Committee developed standard questions in line with mandate of the PSC that were questioned 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. Mr Ben Mkhonto Mthembu

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:

 

  1. Prof Patrick FitzGerald
  2. Dr Tholumuzi Bruno Luthuli
  3. Prof Sesh Paruk
  4. Ms Xolisa Hloma

 

  1. Recommendations

The Portfolio Committee undertook 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 Mr Ben Mkhonto Mthembu.

 

 

Report to be considered.

 

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