(Subcommittee) Public Service Commissioner vacancy: Recommendation

Meeting report

Discussion

Deliberation on the preferred candidate for the Public Service Commission

Mr Julius Ngoepe, Committee Content Advisor, took the Committee through the process of identifying the best candidate for the position of Public Service Commission Commissioner. He read the Committee the five steps that Members should adhere to when deciding on the best candidate.

Ms M Lesoma (ANC) wanted to know if it has ever happened that a Committee recommended more than one person to the National Assembly.

Mr Ngoepe said it has never happened before. It has always been one candidate.

Ms R Komane (EFF) suggested the Committee needed to agree on how the matter should be handled. Recommending two names would not be a problem, but the recommended name should be the most preferred by the committee.

Dr L Schreiber (DA) suggested there be a standardised scoring system in the Committee as not having it will leave the Committee open to criticism. He exemplified one candidate who has worked in the beverages industry but got shortlisted even though the candidate did not have public service experience.

Ms Komane remarked that Dr Schreiber’s suggestion was good and should be considered and implemented, but indicated it was not appropriate for the appointment under discussion as the process has already begun.

Members then started to identify their preferred candidates for the position of PSC Commissioner.

Ms Lesoma stated her preferred candidate is Dr Somadoda Fikeni because he performed excellently in answering all questions. She said he understood what the role of the PSC is; has been able to articulate functions of the Commissioner, and based on what he said, he provided constructive criticism. He said the PSC should do research on the role of the Commission in other countries, and further advised that the Commission should forge partnership with higher learning institutions and the private sector, and investigate irregular tender processes. He was impressive in touching on the professionalisation of the public service and that it should be compared with other developing states.

Dr Schreiber said his preferred candidate was Ms Nalimi Maharaj as she had a legal background, has served on multiple state boards, and has no political baggage. Her legal knowledge should be considered seeing that it has been indicated the Commissioner should have knowledge of the law and that there were very few candidates who had this required legal knowledge.

Ms Komane also preferred Dr Somadoda Fikeni. The political affiliation of the candidate did not play a role to her. What interested her is his professional knowledge in how to deal with tender irregularities and coming up with solutions in improving the public service. His current duties are linked to the sector the Committee is dealing with.

Mr C Sibisi (NFP) chose Dr Somadoda Fikeni, saying he has proved to be the best, knows about everything and has solutions.

Ms Komane said she had high hopes for females, but the Committee could not simply elect a female for the sake of doing that. The female candidates did not present themselves to the satisfaction of the Committee.

Dr Schreiber remarked that Dr Fikeni is a well-known political analyst who has expressed opinions vocalised by other opposition parties. If someone is guided by political narratives, is that person able to be impartial when it comes to investigating corruption? Dr Schreiber was not comfortable giving too much power to such a person who is a political analyst. Dr Fikeni does not have legal experience and lacks political independence or impartiality and experience in public service.

Ms Lesoma commented there is an Act that guides the Committee. Members were within the parameters of the Act. Members unpacked “fit and proper”. Dr Fikeni indicated the Commissioner should do oversight even in SOEs - none of the candidates spoke about that. The matter of political independence is subjective as none of the candidates stated they do not vote. In terms of the five national Commissioners, the Committee was looking for a female, but because this could not be found, after having identified three names, the Committee had to find a male. Two females are highly educated but were found to lack team work and one of them showed arrogance. The Committee wanted an outspoken person and Dr Fikeni was never sweeter to the ruling party. The Committee needed somebody who is going to be harsh to Members, but also come with solutions as well. She pointed out that Dr Schreiber’s preferred candidate did not have confidence to speak power to the authority. The Committee wants to ensure that fewer departments go to Scopa.

Ms Komane said the Committee chose the candidate that performed best, had the higher numbers of votes in terms of the Committee’s scoring and topped the list.

Mr Sibisi wanted to understand if Dr Fikeni would stop being a political analyst when he gets appointed.

The Chairperson replied that he learnt in political science, all human beings are political beings, whether they are politically aligned or not, but they express political views.

The Chairperson did not want to express a view in stating his preferred candidate to avoid swinging the Committee in another direction, but he would abide by the decision of the majority. The name of Dr Somadoda Fikeni would be taken to the full Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration to be forwarded to the National Assembly.

Adoption of Committee Minutes

Subcommittee minutes dated 2 November 2020
The minutes were adopted with minor amendments.

Subcommittee minutes dated 3 November 2020
The minutes were adopted with minor amendments.

The meeting was adjourned.