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The Association of Former Directors-General (AfDG) welcomes the Public Service Amendment Act and the Public Administration Management Amendment Act, which have been signed into law by the President. The AfDG is a professional network of former Directors-General (DGs) committed to building the capacity and integrity of our public service.

South Africa deserves a professional, capable and impartial public service, insulated from patronage and responsive to our democratic institutions. Chapter 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa provides the guiding values and principles in this regard: it outlines a public administration that is ethical, developmental, representative, efficient, accountable and transparent, as well as fair and impartial.

The National Development Plan (NDP), affirming the position that public servants work for elected leaders but that their role is non-partisan, highlighted the need to address the blurred lines of accountability between Ministers and heads of department in the public service. 

The Association therefore welcome relevant changes in the Public Service Act, including the prohibition on the most senior managers in the public service holding political office, and changes regarding the roles of DGs in managing departments. The amendment better defines the roles of political and administrative leaders. 

Chair of the AfDG, Dr Rob Adam, noted: “I would have welcomed this change when I was a DG. As former heads of department, we have experienced first-hand the complexity and, sometimes, the confusion that has resulted from being responsible for financial management — Accounting Officers under the PFMA — while Ministers and MECs had authority over human resources, including appointments. While political principals are able to delegate these functions, in practice, many political principals chose not to.” He added, “The work of a DG can be tremendously stressful.

The Auditor-General holds DGs and provincial heads of department accountable for departmental performance, but executive powers are vested in the Minister. The updated Public Service Act addresses this challenge by making DGs and provincial heads of department responsible for human resource management.”

In light of these reforms, the calibre of our DGs must become a matter of crucial importance in government's professionalisation journey. A concerted effort needs to be placed on strengthening this capacity.  The role of the Public Service Commission and the National School of Government will be invaluable in embedding the changes and supporting the transition.

The AfDG also welcomes the amendments to PAMA, which strengthen the prohibitions against employees conducting business with the state, bolster the standing of the National School of Government, and provide for greater coordination of operations across the public administration.

Issued by the Association of Former Directors’ General (AfDG)