Bold new plans for public service

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Pretoria - The Department of Public Service and Administration has unveiled new ways of doing things for public servants so that they can be more effective and uproot corruption.

Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi told Parliament in his Budget Vote on Wednesday that part of the plan will include the introduction of the Public Sector Integrity Management Framework.

This he said will strengthen and align all measures regulating good governance and probity in the public sector.

The framework to be introduced in June will ensure compliance through monitoring and evaluation, ensure enforcement as a deterrent while strengthening capacity to prevent and combat corruption.

Alongside the introduction of the framework, Baloyi announced that there will be the launch of the compulsory Public Sector Charter, which will consolidate the attributes, commitments, rules and ethical principles of a public servant.

Baloyi said this change of attitude of public servants will align with this year's motto of working differently for an efficient, effective and development-oriented public service.

Plans to establish an anti-corruption unit that will focuss on prevention was also on the cards, said Baloyi.

"We are also in the process of establishing an Anti-Corruption Unit that will assist departments in resolving complex corruption cases.

"We will communicate the details in this regard during the Public Service week in June 2010," Said Baloyi.

Baloyi also called on labour movements to refrain from strikes and find solutions through engagements.

Talks on salary adjustments are to begin in the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council in the next few days. Baloyi says this must be seen as the beginning of negotiation season and not strike season.