Public Service Committee seeks to add additional measures to PSC Bill to insulate body from political influence

27 November 2024

The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration today resolved to seek legal advice on how to add an additional safeguard, a “cooling off” period, to the Public Service Commission (PSC) Bill.
 
The committee deliberated on the formulation of the A-list of the Bill today.
 
The PSC Bill is hailed as a unique opportunity to improve and professionalise the public service to help protect the Commission from political interference. The Bill will enable the PSC to operate as an independent and impartial constitutional body to improve its effectiveness and efficiency in the public service. It is also meant to ensure that the mandate of the PSC is extended to municipalities and public entities.
 
Section 4 of the Bill deals with the appointment of commissioners, and committee members had a robust discussion about the requirements for candidates wishing to serve as PSC commissioners. One member proposed a three-year cooling-off period for candidates who have been Members of Parliament, Members of Provincial Legislatures, or municipal council members to help mitigate potential conflicts of interest. This, the committee heard, would safeguard the independence of the Commission and its appointees.
 
Although committee members agreed on the principle of safeguarding the Commission’s independence and the need for such a measure to prevent undue political influence, they had different views on the length of such a cooling-off period. Some cited issues relating to practicality and fairness. The committee eventually decided on a two-year cooling-off period for public office bearers who want to be appointed as commissioners of the PSC.
 
This followed discussions last week, during which the committee resolved to add a measure to ensure that sitting politicians cannot be nominated to the PSC. This was to prevent the political redeployment practice that would make the appointed commissioner less objective, impartial and professional, as the Bill intended.
 
Committee Chairperson Mr Jan de Villiers said, “The committee agreed on this additional proposal considering our goal all along – to ensure we create a professional, independent Public Service Commission. So, this is a further strengthening of that measure.”

Issued by Alicestine October, Media Officer, Parliament, 28 November 2024