The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration/Performance Monitoring and Evaluation is alarmed by the slow rate of recovery of financial loss to the state in cases of financial misconduct. The committee views the recovery of losses as necessary in regaining public confidence and ensuring that the taxpayers’ money is channelled towards programmes necessary in improving the lives of all South Africans.

The Public Service Commission informed the Committee that the total cost of financial misconduct between 2001/2002 and 2012/2013 amounted to about R2bn. Of this, only R400m was recovered between 2004/2005 and 2012/2013. “This low financial recovery points to the lack of consequences for public servants found guilty on financial misconduct. The Committee is of the view that the improvement of this process will serve as a deterrent to officials thinking of participating in any financial wrongdoing,” said Ms Peace Mabe, the Chairperson of the Committee.

The Committee also called for measures to standardise sanctions imposed after disciplinary proceedings. The Committee is concerned that currently the sanctions are at the discretion of the Chairperson of the disciplinary hearing, based on the merits of the case and the mitigating and aggravating circumstances. Another problem is the inability of departments to finalise disciplinary cases within the prescribed 90 days.

The Committee is also concerned that the Public Service Commission is unable to sustain service delivery, especially at provincial level due to challenges in staff capacity and skills. The Committee views the Public Service Commission as an important institution for realising the ideal public service as advocated in the National Development Plan.

The Committee will engage with the Department of Public Service and Administration and the National Treasury to ensure that the Public Service Commission receives the allocation necessary to implement its mandate effectively.     

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the portfolio Committee on Public Service/Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Mrs Peace Mabe