The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration was assured by the Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, about the commitment of the provincial government in building a capable, ethical, and professional public service in the province.
 
Furthermore, the Premier reiterated his commitment in filling vacant positions of Heads of Divisions within two weeks in the Department of Health, Department of Social Development and Agriculture, Environmental Affairs, Rural Development and Land Reforms.
 
In kick starting its week-long oversight programme in the Northern Cape yesterday, the committee held a meeting with the Premier, Heads of provincial and national departments. The committee raised a concern about the period these posts were vacant especially for the Department of Health which is confronted with many challenges and not doing well in the province.
 
The Department of Health was on the spot light as it had more cases regarding late payment of invoices that were supposed to be paid within 30 days and disciplinary cases that ran over 90 days as compared to other provincial departments. The committee was pleased with the Office of the Premier which has recorded zero percentage in all aspects relating to payment of invoices and disciplinary cases.
 
The Acting Chairperson of the committee, Ms Merriam Kibi, raised an issue which emanated from the meeting held in Parliament which state that the provincial government is approaching law enforcement agencies to assist in conducting Lifestyle Audits of the public servants.
 
The Premier together with the Director-General highlighted their dissatisfaction with the manner in which the Department of Public Service and Administration Lifestyle audits framework mimicked the Financial Disclosure Framework. The province is of the view that Lifestyle Audits framework defeats the entire purpose of the Lifestyle Audits.
 
The committee heard that the province will improve on the Lifestyle Audits framework by involving law enforcement agencies so that the outcomes of the lifestyle audits result in uprooting elements of unethical conducts in the public service as part of instilling a culture of consequence management in the provincial administration.
 
The committee will continue with its oversight visit programme today by conducting unannounced and announced visits in selected government facilities in the province. 

Issued by  The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration Chairperson, Mirriam Kibi