The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation welcomes the announcement by the Presidency of the signing into law of the Public Administration Management Act. The Committee views the signing of the Act as a fortifying tool in strengthening the fight against corruption within the public service.

The Act, among others, seeks to prohibit public servants from conducting business with the state or being a director of a public or private company that conducts business with the state.    

Furthermore, the Committee welcomes the Act more especially because it will strengthen the efficiency of all spheres of government through the provision enabling the transfer and secondment of employees in public administration across national, provincial and local spheres of government. The Committee is assured that through this Act the transfer of skills as part of strengthening intergovernmental relations by secondment of officials where there are service delivery challenges especially in local government leading to promotion of good governance.

While the Committee welcomes this law and believes in its future impact, it appreciates the need for a societal effort in fighting the scourge of corruption within the public service. The Committee is hopeful that this law together with tools such as Management Performance Assessment Tool (MPAT), as well as the Financial Disclosure Framework will go a long way in achieving a professional public Service that is necessary in delivering efficient and effective service delivery as envisaged by the National Development Plan.

The Committee is convinced that the signing into law of the PAM Act highlights the continuing commitment by government in the fight against corruption. While this commitment is welcomed the Committee cautions against the non-implementation of this law. The Committee remains of the view that full implementation of this law and other supporting legislations coupled with effective monitoring will ensure maximum impact.

 

Issued by Parliament of South Africa