PSC says public servants need to avoid ‘being embedded in politics’ ahead of elections
The public sector watchdog said it was worried that government’s administrative work might take the backburner as politicians amplify their election campaigns.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) officials put up an official banner outside the City Hall voting station during the second and last nationwide voter registration campaign ahead of the 2024 South African general elections in Durban on February 03, 2024. Picture: RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP
JOHANNESBURG - The Public Service Commission (PSC) has warned public servants to avoid putting their political aspirations above service delivery as the general elections approach.
The country is expected to take to the polls on May 29 to vote for a new National Assembly and provincial legislature in each province.
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Some political parties have launched their election manifestos, highlighting key priorities they believe would accelerate troubled service delivery across the country.
But the public sector watchdog said it was worried that government’s administrative work might take the backburner as politicians amplify their election campaigns.
PSC Commissioner Anele Gxoyiya made the comments in Pretoria on Monday following a recent plenary meeting.
“The first issue that we looked at was the transitional period that we are approaching, transiting from the sixth administration to the seventh administration. Of course, emanating from those discussions was to remind the public servants to avoid the risk of being embedded in politics, but rather focus on the public administration, and ensure that the services that need to be delivered to the people are delivered seamlessly.”
The African National Congress (ANC) is expected to be judged harshly on its track record in governance as the party takes stock of its time in office.
But Gxoyiya said the final stretch to elections needed to be managed carefully.
“The political transition should in no way affect the continuous implementation of the approved annual performance plans, as well as ensuring that the administrative functioning of government is seamless.”