Pretoria: Chairperson of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Professor Somadoda Fikeni, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's assent to the Public Service Commission Bill, which strengthens the Commission's role in promoting effective and efficient public administration and professional ethics in the public service. The bill is now known as the Public Service Commission Act. It is aimed, among other things, at strengthening the Commission's independence as a constitutional institution and extending its mandate to include local government and public entities.

According to South African Government News Agency, during a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, Fikeni highlighted the importance of the PSC, noting that a weak public service and administration will - even in the face of good policies - lead to 'governance failures; it leads to poor service delivery, it allows for crime and corruption to thrive.' Fikeni emphasized that the Public Service Commission is crucial for ensuring effective and efficient public administration, as it serves as an oversight body.

Fikeni celebrated the Act's provision that allows the PSC to have its own independent secretariat, which marks a significant step from being dependent on a government-created secretariat. A major provision of the Act expands the PSC's mandate to cover local government, state-owned companies, and state entities, while also empowering it to conduct investigations on its own accord.

Fikeni commented on the current governance framework, stating that previously, governance failures would lead to ministers investigating their own appointees. However, with the new Act, the PSC can independently conduct investigations, promoting accountability and transparency in governance.

Acknowledging past governance challenges, Fikeni noted that the reforms represent a corrective action to address issues such as patronage and state capture. He outlined various reforms, including the Professionalisation framework approved by the cabinet in October 2022, the Public Administration Management Act, and the Public Service Amendment Act, as part of the government's efforts to enhance the public service.

The PSC will implement the Act through a phased approach, with the full mandate over municipalities and public entities to be completed within three years. The transition ensures continuity for PSC employees, who automatically become employees of the new Secretariat without any break in service. A joint task team will oversee the migration process, ensuring that employees' rights and conditions are preserved.

Fikeni emphasized the importance of collaboration and accountability in implementing the Act, noting that the PSC has 12 months to consult and prepare for the changes. The success of the Act depends on securing necessary resources to ensure effective implementation.