NCOP approves Public Administration Bill

Public Service Minister Lindwe Sisulu is keen to see the new Public Administration Bill passed into law. Image: GCIS

Speaking during the debate on the Bill, Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said by prohibiting officials from conducting business with the State, government was reducing the chances for corruption and unethical conduct.

"Corruption, unethical conduct and lack of integrity produce outcomes that not only harm society but undermine the very same progressive realisation of the rights we seek to achieve," she said.

"The bill is long overdue; we could not delay it any longer. It is a framework legislation derived from section 195 of the Constitution, which defines how public administration must be managed," she said.

The bill provides for the establishment of the Ethics, Integrity and Discipline Technical Assistance Unit to build a culture of discipline, integrity and ethical conduct in the public administration.

The bill also introduces the National Disciplinary Unit, which will support national, provincial and local government to deal with disciplinary cases effectively.

Prosecutors

The unit will have trained prosecutors, charge drafters and investigators to ensure that cases are finalised as soon as possible. The bill requires all officials in public administration to declare their financial and business interests as well as those of their immediate family.

It also aims to set up the Office of Standards and Compliance, aimed at making the public service more professional by establishing the National School of Government, which must be attended by all public servants.

The bill provides for the transfer and secondment of employees in public administration across national, provincial and local spheres of government.

It seeks to regulate the use of information and communication technologies in the public administration to improve service delivery.

Public Service and Administration Deputy Minister Ayanda Dlodlo said an effective service delivery required an efficient and accountable administration devoid of red tape, with strong anti-corruption and compliance measures.

"The drive towards co-ordinated government has been at the heart of government's transformation and reform programmes for a number of years," she said.