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The Portfolio Committees on Public Service and Administration as well as Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation have urged the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) to move swiftly to establish a housing scheme to ensure that civil servants have access to housing.

This scheme will ensure that those government employees who fall within the gap between being unable to afford a bond and not qualify for reconstruction and development (RDP) housing, are still able to access housing. Such a scheme will go a long way in ensuring that civil servants do not turn to buying RDP houses, which undermines the intentions and benefits of that programme. 

The Committee has further called for the strengthening of the appointment processes for internships and learnerships within the public service. This will ensure that deserving young people benefit from the programme and will remove the suspicion of nepotism and favouritism as alleged by many in society.

The monitoring of disciplinary processes for suspended officials must also be a priority during the coming financial year. “The disciplinary processes must be efficient across government to save the fiscus money. We cannot continue having people on suspension for long periods of time as this is expensive and impacts negatively on service delivery,” said Ms Peace Mabe, the Chairperson of the Committee.

One of the major concerns to the Committee is the use of the private-sector expertise. “The public sector must have an expanded pool of internal skills that will ensure that less money is used while ensuring speedy conclusion of cases. The DPSA must establish a standard for the maximum amount of money to be used in cases where private skills are sought,” Ms Mabe emphasised.  

The Committee will continue to monitor the work of the department in efforts to ensure an efficient, effective and development-oriented public service as envisaged by the National Development Plan. Attainment of such a public service will ensure enhanced service delivery to all citizens.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson,Ms Peace Mabe