A Presidential Hotline as announced by President Jacob Zuma in his election campaign and State of the Nation Address will start operating on Monday, the Presidency said.

"Public liaison officers in the Union Buildings call centre will start handling calls and responding to public inquiries from 09:00 tomorrow," the Presidency said in a statement on Sunday.

Members of the public will be able to lodge their queries by dialling the toll-free Hotline number: 17737.

"The next few weeks will be spent perfecting the service and ensuring that all technical and operating aspects work efficiently."

The hotline and public liaison staff in the Presidency will be backed by 43 newly-assigned public liaison officers in all government departments and offices of premiers.

"They will have the responsibility of following up the public enquiries and complaints lodged, and ensure that all are attended to efficiently.

"The provinces are expected to establish similar services, and to create a forum that includes liaison officers for each municipality so that the service is taken to local government level, including rural municipalities and districts."

The aims of this public service was to encourage an all-round improvement in citizen care and liaison, "and to introduce a culture of putting the citizen first in all government departments as well as municipalities".

"This is part of the President's directive to create an interactive, accessible and responsive government."