Randfontein – Public Service and Administration Minister Collins Chabane has called on public servants to expose corruption and continue to serve people with dedication.
Addressing frontline public servants from various government departments and municipalities in Mohlakeng, Randfontein, on Friday, Minister Chabane said the few corrupt officials in the public service must be exposed.
“It’s only our actions that can convince people that not all public servants are corrupt,” he said.
Held under the theme “Re-inventing the way public servants work – Batho Pele,” the engagement aimed to assess and to recognise the quality of service that public servants render to the communities.
The engagement was also aimed at encouraging those public servants that are doing their best serving people to continue doing a good job.
According to the Minister, there are more than one million public servants in the public service.
Minister Chabane said government will continue to conduct unannounced visits to government and municipal institutions to ensure effective service delivery.
“The majority of public servants are committed to serving people and they should not be painted with the same brush as corrupt officials,” he said.
To ensure public servants give members of the public the best service, Minister Chabane said they should be allowed to be creative and innovative.
“We need to allow people to think and be creative,” he said.
The Minster explained the unannounced visits are aimed at interacting with people that are being served and to get their views on how best they can be served.
“We also want to know what is being done wrong and how it can be improved. We are confident that if we work together, we can change a lot of things,” he said.
Minister Chabane encouraged both government and municipal employees to do their best in serving people.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi also encouraged the frontline public servants to give people the services they need.
“We want to inculcate the spirit of Batho Pele, of putting people first and serving them with pride.
“Our commitment is clear, we don’t take bribes, we here to serve our people,” he said.
MEC Lesufi said people should not be served because of their status, but all should be treated equally.
“We don’t serve people because they speak good English or that they are well dressed,” he said.
Today’s event is a continuation of Public Service Month which started in September.
Public Service Month is an annual public service programme that is deeply rooted in the celebration and recognition of public servants and their contribution to the lives of ordinary people by putting people first. – SAnews.gov.za
