MINISTER MCHUNU'S RESPONSE TO QUESTION POSED BY XOLI MNGAMBI ON THE SOUTH AFRICAN MORNING (eNCA) ON 11 AUGUST 2020
The Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Minister Senzo Mchunu, was interviewed this morning by Mr Xoli Mngambi on The South African Morning show on eNCA.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has alleged that R11 billion had been paid in salaries to public servants during the lockdown for "not doing any work", This allegation is contained in a statement issued by Dr Leon Schreiber, MP of the DA on 9 August 2020 and is based on a response to a Parliamentary question from the DA, Mr Mngambi asked the Minister for his response to the allegation.
Due to network connection challenges which distorted the audio, the Minister was unable to provide his response in full. This media statement is thus the Minister's response.
In his response, the Minister started off by stating the fact that upon the declaration of the national state of disaster, directions were issued in the public service for departments to determine appropriate working arrangements; these working arrangements would be based on the unique circumstances and service delivery requirements of each department throughout the Country. Most public servants (such as those in the health sector, police and the defence force) were performing essential services consistently during levels 4 and 5 of the national lockdown and continue to do so tirelessly. This includes those on rear lines supporting frontliners, the rest of public servants have been working remotely from home but work has nonetheless been performed by public servants. Nowhere in the Minister's reply to the Parliamentary question was there mention of public servants being paid for "not doing any work".