PSC warns against political interference as 7th administration begins work
Several hotshots in government have come under fire for meddling in State institutions and departments, compromising service delivery across the country.
Public Service Commission (PSC) commissioners Vusumuzi Mavuso (L) and Anele Gxoyiya during a media briefing held on 8 July 2024. Picture: X/GovernmentZA
JOHANNESBURG - The Public Service Commission (PSC) has warned against political interference as the seventh administration begins its work.
A number of hotshots in government have come under fire for meddling in state institutions and departments, compromising service delivery across the country.
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State-owned entities (SOEs) – including Eskom, Transnet, and South African Airways (SAA) – are among institutions that have been brought to their knees by political pressure.
Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday, PSC commissioner Anele Gxoyiya said poor separation of powers is bad for business.
“Public servants know what is right and they should stand by what is right. They should advise their principals about what is right. Therefore, you are not forced to carry out an unlawful instruction. Try it – defy that instruction and see what is going to happen. The Public Service Commission is there to protect employees.”
The PSC has also warned the new ministers against making drastic changes to departments as they settle into their new offices.
The commission cautioned the new administration following concerns that some directors-general (DGs) would soon be out of a job as ministers bring in their own people.
The public sector watchdog released its latest quarterly report in Pretoria on Monday.
PSC commissioner Vusi Mavuso said there cannot be an overhaul of departments without following due processes.
“It is not up to ministers to willy-nilly come with a skop, skeet, en donner that DGs must pack up and go because they don’t want them. All directors-general are appointed on a fixed term period, usually it’s five years. Therefore, it is incumbent upon ministers to be able to strike a relationship with their DGs before they can even come to a conclusion that they want their own.”