Ramaphosa Signs Law Strengthening Public Service Oversight

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law a new Public Service Commission Act that gives the country’s constitutional watchdog wider powers to monitor public administration, investigate service-delivery failures and follow up on the implementation of its decisions.

The legislation replaces the Public Service Commission Act of 1997 and extends the commission’s oversight mandate to local government and public entities, strengthening its role in promoting efficient administration and professional ethics across the public sector.

The Public Service Commission is an independent institution established under section 196 of South Africa’s Constitution. It is required to exercise its powers without fear, favour or prejudice and to promote effective and efficient public administration and high standards of professional ethics.

Under the new law, the commission can require an executive authority or another person affected by one of its decisions to report on progress in implementing that decision. The legislation also makes obstructing the commission an offence, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, a fine of up to R50,000, or both.

The Act sets out procedures for the appointment of commissioners by the president and provides for a secretariat to support the commission’s work.

The legislation comes as Ramaphosa’s administration places state capacity and ethical public administration among its three main priorities. The government has said strengthening the public service is central to improving the delivery of government services.

Ramaphosa said the Act would support efforts to improve public services and economic growth through more ethical and efficient government administration.

He also called on public servants to adhere to the Batho Pele, meaning “People First”, principles governing the treatment of citizens and the delivery of public services.

Source: FSX Business News